Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection for lumbosacral spine arthritis and cervical spine arthritis was granted, but the claims of higher ratings were denied. Service connection for a disability manifested by chronic fatigue was also granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, as well as deviated nasal septum.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied because there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, is denied due to lack of evidence establishing the in-service incurrence and nexus elements.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 27, 2023. From July 27, 2023, he is granted separate ratings for left and right knee extension.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a headache disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions had their onset during military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected nasal deformity.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for right and left lower extremity disorders, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent from January 24, 2017 to August 3, 2023. Effective August 3, 2023, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome alone.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, finding that these conditions are proximately due to her service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbosacral spine conditions due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decisions. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's claimed obstructive sleep apnea was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities are granted increased ratings to 40 percent effective October 15, 2018.,Service connection for tension headaches and migraines is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions and an inadequate examination by a sleep specialist.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his contention that stress from military service contributed to its development.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left testicle injury with partial atrophy, left scrotal orchialgia (pain) and surgical scar status post hydrocelectomy is remanded due to the need for additional examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD secondary to a service-connected left testicle disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and neck disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder for treatment purposes is remanded due to the need for obtaining in-service mental health records and VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to the need for an additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for IBS as a qualifying chronic disability to include undiagnosed illness is granted. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to the service-connected allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and sarcoidosis with asthma, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service-connected PTSD or toxic exposure risk activities. The Veteran was exposed to burn pits during her deployment in Somalia.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, abdominal scar, low back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been granted increased ratings. TDIU entitlement has also been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and left shoulder strain should be remanded due to new evidence being added to the file by VA.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of these conditions during service or their relationship to service. The Veteran's low back disability is also remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for body aches, including fibromyalgia, was not granted as there was no diagnosis of fibromyalgia found in the VA examination.