Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, nose bleeds, sleep apnea, bilateral foot rash, and a vision condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic conditions (degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the bilateral knees and degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, including exposure to toxic substances and potential participation in a TERA. The Veteran's respiratory and hearing disabilities are related to his military service, but the right shoulder disability is not. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of all conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and calcified pleural plaques have been granted a 100 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for inguinal hernia and lumbosacral or cervical strain due to a lack of an adequate examination in the March 2018 VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not proximately due to or otherwise etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea was granted with an effective date of February 17, 2020. The decision is based on the fact that his current diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding whether the condition was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically considering obesity as an intermediary factor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and additional medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, as well as any potential synergistic effects from other toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation higher than 30 percent for atopic dermatitis of the inner ears, actinic keratosis, rosacea, and squamous cell carcinoma of the face is being remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from Valley Dermatology.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims on appeal, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision is based on a finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also receives a TDIU rating due to the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again, with a focus on whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's OSA and RAD are granted with a 50% rating beginning December 31, 2016. The RO must obtain the complete sleep study reports from Professional Sleep Diagnostics and/or Dr. Porterfield dated December 2015 and March 2016 to determine when the Veteran required use of a breathing assistance device for OSA.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 6, 2013 for the award of service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no legal right to this benefit.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 12, 2016 for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease status post bypass graft and myocardial infarction associated with herbicide exposure was also denied due to lack of current disability related to heart problems during the pendency of his initial claim.