Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his service-connected unspecified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder is denied. However, a 70% rating is granted effective from April 1, 2021, for the condition. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to October 20, 2021, remains denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied due to failure to report for an examination scheduled in conjunction with the claim.,The Veteran's current service-connected cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately due to his obesity caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for a right upper arm scar is granted. The scar is considered ancillary to the Veteran's service-connected right upper arm disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the evidence supports that OSA had its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, hypertension, and incontinence are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on a direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's trixaicin cream was not used in conjunction with a service-connected skin disability, thus the clothing allowance claim for 2016 is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings for various conditions due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his low back condition and sleep apnea are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or functional impairment equivalent to such.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder condition has been assigned a maximum rating of 60 percent and does not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his initial rating for gastritis, service connection for a bilateral knee condition, and service connection for lumbosacral strain has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is granted a higher evaluation to 40 percent. The evaluations for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, and as a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is directly related to his active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, and the Board is remanding it for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for rosacea remains remanded.,VA examinations are needed to determine the nature of the claimed back disability and the current severity of the knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea condition, as well as whether any identified disability is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea, increased rating for lumbar spine strain, and increased rating for allergic rhinitis due to new evidence received by VA.