Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and OSA have been granted an initial rating of 100 percent effective July 31, 2018. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to a service-connected diabetes, due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck condition and vertigo due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently service-connected but denied on appeal.

The Veteran's sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, while depressive disorder has been granted as secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 17, 2019 for the award of service connection for sleep apnea. The Board also found that entitlement to earlier effective date for DEA benefits prior to January 27, 2020 is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected GERD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, migraines, arthritis (bilateral feet, knees, and hands as well as the left elbow), and sleep apnea are preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from caring for himself and protecting himself, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is aggravated by his service-connected Allergic Rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to this condition.

The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU under the schedular criteria prior to January 9, 2017. The Board finds that an extra-schedular evaluation is required due to inadequate opinion from the Director of Compensation Services and a pre-decisional duty to assist error by the AOJ.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, acne vulgaris, scar from right knee surgery, and lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board has remanded for further review of these claims.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on audiometric test results. His acne vulgaris and lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis are also rated at their maximum allowed under VA guidelines, and the Board has remanded these claims.,The Veteran's scar from right knee surgery and scar from lumbar laminectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as they do not occupy an area of 929 square centimeters or greater.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not rated higher than the current non-compensable rating.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of headaches that causes impairment in earning capacity.,Service connection for OSA, secondary to service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and obesity as an intermediate step, is granted.,Service connection for GERD is denied.,Service connection for sinusitis is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current disability and in-service event have been established as to his OSA. The decision affords the Veteran the benefit of the doubt regarding the medical nexus between his OSA and qualifying in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further development and a medical opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service. The Veteran needs a new medical opinion to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea based on receipt of new and relevant evidence. However, the issue is remanded due to an error in satisfying a statutory or regulatory duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected Asthma.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea from September 19, 2019.