Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to obtain relevant records. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's migraine disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD with MDD.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD with MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from an appropriate specialist.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran developed these conditions during active duty for training.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examinations and a need for further evidence regarding service connection for PFB and evaluation of lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since then.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, low back strain, right ankle loss of range of motion with laxity and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an adequate medical opinion addressing the issues raised in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 4, 2020, for service connection of lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc syndrome with intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The Board found no formal or informal claim was submitted before this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disability, left shoulder condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bilateral knee conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder bursitis, tinnitus, left knee limitations, and right knee instability, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 17, 2018. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected low back and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral strain associated with bilateral pes planus, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain status post-surgery associated with bilateral pes planus, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain associated with bilateral pes planus, right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, right shoulder strain, and onychomycosis were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes. Right shoulder strain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited flexion. Onychomycosis required only topical therapy.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The cases of OSA and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service. The decision also grants secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction due to a service-connected condition.