Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his back disability, RLE radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, or bilateral ankle tendonitis. However, the Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU were remanded.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is granted for gout. The VA will conduct further examination to determine the etiology of this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with PLMS, finding that it is related to his service-connected dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to Gulf War illness have been granted. The effective date is not specified as the claim was received within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding his claimed disabilities, including fatigue, memory loss, headaches, sleep apnea, and bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee pain. The remand requires additional medical opinions on etiology and whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is proximately caused by his service-connected hypothyroidism, which resulted in obesity. As a result, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, sleep apnea, and a respiratory disability including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough are all granted. The claim for respiratory disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine and cervical strain, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's rib condition, diagnosed as a hairline fracture due to jump from a Black Hawk, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left femur condition, diagnosed as a femur injury in 1987, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations and osteopenia, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the right forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the left forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during active service and resolving all doubt in his favor.

Your claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has already been granted in another appeal stream, so your current appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by painful motion and forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees, was not found to warrant an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused his diverticular disease and obstructive sleep apnea, granting service connection for these conditions. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as there is no current diagnosis of IBS.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type I. However, it granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type I.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's behaviorally induced insufficient sleep syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, as well as whether it would be less severe but for his service-connected asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative joint disease, as well as his left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition do not meet or approximate the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied because there is no credible evidence showing that any current disability began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's OSA, tinnitus, GERD, and IBS were all found to have onset during service. Service connection was granted for these conditions.,Fatigue disability, right knee disability, and liver disability are still under review.