Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, left hand scar, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The right foot disability (plantar fasciitis) and right shoulder disability claims are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, asthma, bilateral radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in lower extremities, bilateral radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in lower extremities, hypertension, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and post-operative scars of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to keep himself clean and presentable due to his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error in obtaining relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examination and reliance on lack of documented medical treatment in the absence of lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve as secondary to service-connected disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve as secondary to service-connected disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with mild sensory left lower extremity S1 distribution is granted, and the issue of service connection for low back disability with radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or symptoms during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a duty to assist error, including for an opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her service-connected asthma and/or cervical strain, as well as any in-service toxic exposure risk activity (MOS as a chemical operations specialist).

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his active service, and the Board denied this claim.,The Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during his active service or within one year of separation, and the Board denied this claim.,The Veteran's sleep disability - OSA was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and the Board denied this claim.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his active service, and the Board granted this claim.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his active service, and the Board granted this claim.,The Veteran's headaches are related to his active service, and the Board granted this claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and tremors, muscle rigidity and stiffness of the right upper extremity have been granted service connection. The rating for tremors has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or unspecified anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder, remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been presented for the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbosacral disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to duty to assist errors. The Veteran's service includes active duty from August 1995 to April 2000 and January 2001 to August 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy conditions effective September 30, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's OSA is related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to military service or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, which is linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is presumed.

The Veteran's hypertension, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their onset during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence and a duty to assist error. The case will be returned to VA for further review, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.