Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his sleep apnea.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has ordered additional development to ensure due process is followed and a complete record is available for decision.

The Veteran's claims for OSA, left bicep disorder, and skin disorder have been reopened. Service connection is granted for all three conditions.,Service connection is also granted for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right elbow disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and levoscoliosis is being remanded due to procedural issues related to the appeal form used.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for PTSD has been granted, but the claims for OSA and hypertension are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea had an in-service onset, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, right foot, left foot, and sleep apnea disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's low back disorder throughout the appeal period. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD caused or aggravated his OSA. The VA examiner found that while there is no definitive evidence that PTSD causes OSA, it did aggravate OSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right rotator cuff tear is now rated at 30 percent, and his lumbosacral spondylosis with lumbar strain is now rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is needed, including a toxic exposure evaluation. The Veteran's service connection claim for OSA remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.,The examiner concluded that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD, but rather due to smoking, obesity, and hypertension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a gynecological disability (claimed as dysfunctional uterus syndrome), calcified granuloma, asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and lumbosacral and left ankle disabilities. These claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions in light of potential toxic exposure from service.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is now rated at 40 percent effective December 22, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his back pain, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hip conditions. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has granted a TDIU. The claims for higher ratings remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete STRs and other missing records. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, but his claim remains pending on all other issues.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from February 26, 2014, but prior to August 10, 2022. The rating for the left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted at 40 percent as of December 30, 2021. TDIU benefits were granted effective from February 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence in the previous decision.