Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea and asthma with a history of bronchitis due to issues related to the propriety of combining ratings, as well as the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, as it requires further medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition and sleep apnea due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for right ear disorder with perforation was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted, but the claim for right ear disorder with perforation remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraines have been granted service connection.,Service connection for migraines has also been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability of migraines that started in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, and the right knee disability is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status from March 1, 2021 was denied as he does not meet the criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various conditions, including soft palate angioma, blurred vision, bilateral hearing loss, dizziness with nausea, sleep apnea, nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is based on the need for additional medical opinions regarding the preexistence of these conditions in service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia was dismissed. The claims of service connection for left and right ankle conditions, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, obesity, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, eating disorder, and sleeping disturbances), right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip pain, left hip pain, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as there were no competent opinions linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and PTSD. The VA examiner did not adequately address relevant treatment records and failed to provide a clear opinion on whether the weight gain was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a causal relationship between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation since March 31, 2011. Therefore, entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for osteoporosis is denied.,The Board has denied service connection for sensory neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's representative argued that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD, obesity caused by those disabilities, and/or an intermediary step of obesity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder (Meniere's disease), obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or have other origins.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and in-service burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD with residuals of a traumatic brain injury is rated at 70 percent, effective October 16, 2020. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 40 percent from January 14, 2021. TDIU was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining information about potential chemical exposure during his military service and scheduling VA examinations.