Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiology opinions and a new theory of causation raised by the Veteran's representative.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition was asymptomatic and did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma due to potential exposure during active duty in the Gulf War. The AOJ did not verify the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia (SWA) theatre of operations, which could affect his eligibility for VA examinations under the PACT Act.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis and no nexus between in-service noise exposure and present hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraines, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding potential exposure-related links.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted, and he is now receiving a 50% disability rating. The appeal regarding his PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI remains denied. A separate 70% disability rating has been granted for the service-connected TBI. Service connection for ED as secondary to PTSD has also been established. However, the claim for OSA as secondary to a service-connected disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's lower back condition is granted as service connected. The Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA) and right foot condition including Morton's neuroma are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is claimed as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's OSA was not found to be caused by his service-connected pharyngitis or any other in-service exposure. Additional medical opinions are needed on remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities, including left knee limitation of motion, low back strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative arthritis, right shoulder tendonitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and raticulopathy left lower extremity. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's obesity caused or aggravated his service-connected orthopedic disabilities, which in turn caused or aggravated his OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for a recurrent deviated nasal septum. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbar strain including status post discectomy residuals with IVDS, bilateral calcaneal heel spur, bilateral achilles tendonitis, and bilateral knee strain with history of patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his G-6PD deficiency, sleep apnea, and left arm or left elbow condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is now considered service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the sleep apnea was caused by PTSD, giving the benefit of doubt to the claimant.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and will provide a VA examination to determine if the sleep apnea is related to in-service toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is directly related to his military service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including COPD and tuberculosis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms began during a period of active service and continued post-deployment. The Board resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and lung spots (granulomatous disease), which were previously denied. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was not productive of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, and thus a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.