Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's residuals of left ear tympanic membrane perforation are related to his active service.,The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 1, 2017 for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy, right lower extremity.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation of whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her service-connected PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and alcohol use disorder due to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's GERD and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which is rated as 70 percent disabling since June 16, 2016. The additional disabilities do not meet the criteria for a single disability rated at 100%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had its onset during service and granted service connection for OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities and has also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea should be remanded for further development, including obtaining an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for higher initial disability ratings.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 60 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with asthma, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 6847 or DC 6602.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is linked to his obesity, which in turn caused him to develop obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Board has received a request for withdrawal of the appeal regarding increased rating for right knee disability and reopening claims for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board does not find evidence to support a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, with no indication of a need for a higher rating based on the provided information.,The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder.,The Veteran's Low Back Condition is remanded and will be reconsidered based on the new medical opinion provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not directly caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, but it was found to be aggravated by her service-connected major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety. The decision grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection due to incomplete claims submitted within one year of receipt, and the earliest allowable effective date is March 13, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for thoracolumbar scoliosis and lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this case.