Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA and PTSD have been granted, with the TDIU also being granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current migraines began during active duty and are related to his service.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied. The Veteran reported having hit his head in service but there is no objective evidence of any TBI or concussion at any time during the pendency of the claim, nor has he presented a current disability that can be linked to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis and IVDS with bilateral mild sciatic radiculopathy from 60% to 60%, effective July 1, 2020.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), and OSA, all of which are found to be proximately due or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected back condition.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to adjudicate the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury, left knee disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than one daily insulin injection and a restricted diet. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including OSA and CIDP of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of January 27, 2016. The effective date is set at this time.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and may be aggravated by his service-connected hypertension. However, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, the case must be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction as untimely.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his military service and is related to his active duty, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's sleep apnea syndromes, initially diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), were aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, causing central sleep apnea. The disability is currently rated at 50% due to the need for a CPAP machine, but no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted a rating of 100 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for insomnia is granted. The Veteran's sleep disorder is secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which was secondary to their service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right foot, and left foot disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding headaches, left knee strain, and sleep apnea.