Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The appeal for service connection of a skin condition is dismissed. Sleep apnea is granted and rated at 70 percent effective December 8, 2016. The acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and anxiety disorder is granted at 70 percent from December 8, 2016. TDIU is granted effective December 8, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not etiologically linked to his active-duty service or secondary to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Veteran's right thumb disorder with a residual scar is granted service connection. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD are denied, but the Veteran is granted an initial 70% rating for PTSD from December 23, 2013 to July 20, 2022.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a headache disability as secondary to his now-service-connected sleep apnea. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during service, which were consistent with current diagnoses of sleep apnea and headaches.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board dismissed them due to this request.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, particularly in relation to his active duty service and presumed toxic exposures.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since October 7, 2010. Service connection for OSA was denied as there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient verification of herbicide exposure. The cases are being returned for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has granted a TDIU from September 27, 2011 to August 7, 2012 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions and need for clarification. The Veteran's OSA is being evaluated in relation to a service-connected deviated septum, burn pit exposure, and other potential causes.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected asthma. The issues regarding left and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service, and the VA examiner opined against a nexus between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted. The claims for heat injury residuals, sleep apnea, and bilateral foot fungus are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that began during his military service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum evaluation available under DC 6847. The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for this condition.,The Veteran's narcolepsy is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has granted a 40 percent rating, which is the next higher evaluation available under DC 8911. This decision also grants TDIU due solely to service-connected narcolepsy.,The Veteran has been granted SMC based on housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation and that any current condition is less likely related to military service.