Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus but has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of a VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and hypertension substantially contributed to his cause of death, acute myocardial infarction. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination for the latter claim.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right fibula fracture with hardware removal and traumatic arthritis, considering obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, dry eye disability, and GERD due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating, effective September 23, 2020. Tinnitus and sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and scar status post pilonidal cyst have been granted service connection, while the pes planus has been denied. The initial compensable rating for PFB and a 10 percent disability rating for the pilonidal cyst scar have been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of right thyroid mass with tracheal deviation, status post total thyroidectomy and unspecified depressive disorder. The claim for sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

An effective date prior to December 29, 2016, for the award of a 10% rating for left great toe fracture residuals is denied.,A rating in excess of 10% for left great toe fracture residuals is denied.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, with the condition being directly incurred during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for COPD, a heart condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's toxic exposure risk activity is presumed under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, lordotic thoracolumbar spine with osteoarthritis and scoliosis, and sinusitis to allow for a new VA examination. The examiner will be asked to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service or due to a service-connected disability.

The appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The appeals of service connection for a left knee disability and OSA are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition had its onset in service. As a result, the claim is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, finding that there is no medical evidence supporting a causal relationship between his service-connected conditions and his OSA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ must obtain all relevant VA and non-VA medical records, including those from Durham VA Medical Center and Southeast Texas Physicians Group. Additionally, a new opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The Veteran's maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis are granted a 30% rating, but allergic rhinitis remains denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has determined that the October 2020 negative VA etiology opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new opinion to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was caused by or underwent any incremental increase in disability due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as it had its onset during his military service.