Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the November 2020 VA medical examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to address whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his OSA.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development on service connection claims and an initial rating for bronchial asthma. The effective dates for TDIU, special monthly compensation, and DEA benefits are also being considered.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is related to and/or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The VA will need to obtain an addendum medical opinion to address whether the sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated beyond its normal progression by the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as presumptive under the PACT Act, and his erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.,Major depressive disorder is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a potential service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, given the Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during his military service. The decision also mentions that VA is required to provide a disability examination and medical nexus opinion under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to have started during his active duty service and is granted as direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence showing a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is found to be the proximate cause of his claimed migraines, allowing for service connection.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder associated with his service-connected tinnitus is found to be the proximate cause of his OSA, allowing for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and sleep dysfunction condition (OSA) are dismissed as moot due to the grant of these conditions in prior rating decisions.,Service connection for a heart disability is denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran's angina was not a separate disability from his service-connected GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with TBI and mild neurocognitive disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the appeal for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and denied it in the right ear. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted.

The Board has determined that the March 2020 VA examination is inadequate for determining whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to his service-connected cervical strain. The case is being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea and whether obesity caused by service-connected disabilities is a substantial factor in the development of sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as being proximately due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted effective September 24, 2020. The effective dates for the lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, neurogenic bladder, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were also granted on this date.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service, as well as the need to obtain SSA records.