Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that there was no indication in the record of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 5, 2021.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current condition is related to his active duty service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but has remanded the issue of service connection for TIAs due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and sleep apnea has been withdrawn.,Service connection for PTSD, right hip disability, left hip disability, low back disability, vertigo, and tinnitus is granted. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension is also granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, right hip condition, and sleep apnea as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for a hand condition, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, and eye disability have been denied. The previously denied claim for bipolar disorder/depression has been readjudicated.,There is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions began during service or are related to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for OSA with asthma was denied. The Board found that the current 50 percent disability rating is appropriate as it reflects the predominant respiratory condition, OSA.

The Veteran's sinusitis, sleep apnea, and migraine disabilities are granted as service-connected.,An increased rating of 70% for the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if there is a link between her PTSD and her OSA.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings for an eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and aortic valve/AFib have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the cause of sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the severity of the service-connected conditions, including PTSD, left knee tendonitis and tendinosis, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, right wrist ganglion cyst, and denied service connection for left wrist disability and right wrist disability (other than ganglion cyst).

The Veteran's chronic leukemia and recurrent pneumonia are granted service connection. The liver cirrhosis, sleep condition (previously claimed as sleep apnea syndrome), and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding earlier effective dates and higher disability ratings for various conditions, including left hip arthritis, peripheral vascular disease, degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain, right knee arthritis, and ankle strain. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower sciatic nerve is not productive of moderately severe or severe incomplete paralysis, and thus he does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.,Similarly, his radiculopathy of the left lower femoral nerve also does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent due to moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for additional examination and analysis.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, penile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left ankle sprain due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently denied.

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear on his clothing, but he does not have a service-connected elbow disability or skin condition requiring the use of topical steroid cream. The Board has granted an annual clothing allowance for the back brace in 2020.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from May 1, 2017 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of lumbosacral strain and right knee injury/condition due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.