Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's obstructive sleep apnea developed during his active service or is otherwise related to an in-service disease or injury. The claim for service connection for OSA is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to service, specifically her in-service sleep problems and snoring. The issues of secondary service connection for TMJ are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and hypertension have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted a TDIU from December 29, 2014. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot traumatic arthritis is remanded due to the need for addendum opinions regarding the nature and current level of severity of his left foot disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea, including whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected PTSD. The examiner will also assess if obesity, which may be aggravated by a service-connected disability, contributed to the development of OSA.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease has been denied. The evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS, and the rating assigned is already at its maximum level.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The matter is again before the Board.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted at a 50% rating, the maximum available.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of documentation regarding a scheduled sleep study for the Veteran, who is currently homeless. The Veteran needs to be provided with another opportunity to participate in a VA sleep study and examination.

This decision grants restoration of a 30% rating for obstructive sleep apnea from April 2, 2013 to April 15, 2019. The reduction of the 10% rating for post-concussive syndrome/traumatic brain injury residuals starting from June 11, 2013 is denied.,Restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) effective April 2, 2013 to April 15, 2019 was granted. The reduction of the 10% rating for post-concussive syndrome/traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals starting from June 11, 2013 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and COPD are all found to be secondary to his service-connected asthma. However, the Veteran's hypertension is not established by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma, stroke and residuals, and sleep apnea due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and effective dates was denied. The left knee issues were addressed, with a 10 percent rating granted for instability and a 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues resulted in 20 percent ratings effective January 22, 2015, but no higher ratings were granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied, as he did not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 60% due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed GERD and OSA, as well as their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected COPD with emphysema, bronchiectasis, and chronic bronchitis. Therefore, service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected COPD is granted.