Sleep apnea Board decisions

The appeal regarding the effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability, finding no evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's supplemental claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and the issue is remanded to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent, effective September 1, 2014. A separate rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is granted effective September 1, 2014.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ should consider whether OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his PTSD, depression, or any other single service-connected disability. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected other specified anxiety disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities with obesity as an intermediary step.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, and will need an addendum medical advisory opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was caused or worsened by his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is denied due to lack of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and insufficient evidence linking his condition to service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding pre-existing versus in-service aggravation.,The Veteran's lower back disability claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's depression claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he has hearing loss and whether it is related to service.,The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and nontoxic goiter claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to his left ankle injury.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's nontoxic goiter claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the VA-contracted opinion is inadequate and requires a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus or right knee disability were 'but-for causes' of his OSA, as well as if it was approximately at least as likely as not that the right knee (and medication) caused the Veteran to become obese or aggravated the obesity.

The Veteran's service connection claims for breathing issues and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is at least as likely as not that the condition began during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety, depression, and insomnia was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election. The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine strain, finding that the conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea has been granted, with the Board finding that his OSA is at least as likely as not related to his service. The decision also notes that the evidence of record establishes the first element of service connection and that the second element (in-service incurrence or aggravation) was met through testimony and lay statements. The third element (causal relationship between present disability and disease/injury incurred/aggravated during service) was supported by a private medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle ankylosis and knee replacements, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 30, 2024. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.