Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with moderate anxious distress and insomnia, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD and hiatal hernia, migraine headaches, and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for GERD and hiatal hernia, and denied an initial compensable rating for migraines. A 50 percent rating was granted for PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by her service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for OSA.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Migraines, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a neck condition due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran asserts that his conditions are related to service-connected asthma and allergic rhinitis, or an injury during INACDUTRA duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed for service connection, with consideration of his participation in TERA and his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted, with the persuasive weight of evidence favoring a finding that his OSA had its onset during active duty.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for Sleep Apnea Syndromes was dismissed as the April 2020 Board decision, which denied reopening the claim, became final and not appealed.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence, including missing service treatment records and an inadequate medical opinion regarding a VA colonoscopy. The Veteran's right knee condition, low back problem, seizure disorder, depression (claimed as PTSD), sleep apnea, myositis, and narcolepsy are all under review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the November 2021 VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is asked to provide an addendum that addresses whether it is at least as likely as not that his sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA records from the Veteran's service period and an error in denying the claim without affording a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a right ankle disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues of service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and left leg disorders are remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the proper effective date is January 25, 2021.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,An effective date prior to July 2, 2020, for a 40 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for CAD with MI, high blood pressure (hypertension), and OSA due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent from March 3, 2020 to June 26, 2021.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services due to his meeting the threshold requirements for entitlement but not having an employment handicap, as determined by a VA counseling psychologist (CP) or VRC.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, PTSD and OSA are related to service. The appeal is granted for all four conditions.