Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability secondary to low back disability, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding her symptoms are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his knee and finger surgeries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as he is employed and has provided no evidence to support his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability rating is remanded for further development, including a VA peripheral nerves examination and obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The cases are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, thyroid disorder, COPD, OSA, headaches, and a GI disorder are denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for CFS was not granted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service. Service connection for a thyroid disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, including exposure to contaminants in Southwest Asia and inoculations.,COPD, OSA, and headaches were pending remand for additional etiological opinions considering the Veteran's reported exposures to burn pits and other environmental factors during his military service. Service connection for a GI disorder is also pending as there are no current diagnoses or clear evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that a new medical opinion is needed to determine whether the Veteran's obesity or his other service-connected conditions caused him to become obese and aggravated his obesity.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. His disability has not resulted in forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or a combined range of motion (ROM) limited to 120 degrees or less, even considering functional loss.,Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied, while his service connection claims were granted. The Veteran was awarded a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and left shoulder condition (post left acromioplasty with slight separation at acromioclavicular joint).

The Veteran's service-connected physical and mental disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 18, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 80 percent for breast cancer residuals has been denied. The highest possible rating (80%) is currently assigned, and the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current medical evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as sleep apnea, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from August 30, 2016 to October 6, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied due to the lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his obesity, which may have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for DMII, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for further development regarding rating decisions and service connection determinations.

All appeals for increased ratings and effective dates are dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board has granted the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal for fatigue.,The Board has granted service connection for OSA, finding it proximately due to PTSD.,The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability, finding it proximately due to OSA.