Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 2, 2016 for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain.,The Veteran's initial claim for increased left ankle collateral ligament sprain was denied as his disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and also granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board found that a higher rating is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and BHL.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, including those for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure, while the examiner did not address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, as well as any potential synergistic effect from environmental exposures.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to and aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic conditions, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's migraines, bilateral knee condition, lumbar spine disorder to include lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc space narrowing (lumbar strain), IBS, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his obesity and sleep apnea are related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of March 19, 2021. The initial disability rating assigned is 50 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it was filed concurrently with a previous appeal for the same issue, and concurrent appeals are not allowed.

The Veteran's appeal on service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The appeals for dental and oral disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral breast duct ectasia, athlete's foot, and erectile dysfunction with epididymitis are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the extent of functional loss.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, but denied the claims for service connection for respiratory problems (rhinitis and sinusitis), headaches, a foot condition, and a back condition.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea, but the other issues remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, right ankle strain, and lumbosacral strain on a direct basis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence rather than complete medical opinions.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2020 for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in March 2017 but reopened in October 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of disability prior to January 22, 2020.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, muscle rigidity, constipation and IBS, dysphagia, stroke, hydrocephalus, poor balance and postural instability, right bundle branch blockage (RBBB) causing pacemaker, bradykinesia, sleep apnea, and cognitive deficits are all found to be related to his service-connected Parkinson's disease. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his trauma and stressor related disorder and bipolar and related disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.