Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for sinusitis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection or entitlement to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected PTSD because no rating decision was issued in response to the September 2020 claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was granted effective from November 28, 2018. The decision also grants an effective date of May 11, 2012, but no earlier.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not received to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, depression, hypertension, hypothyroidism, insomnia, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lumbago, right shoulder arthritis, sickle cell anemia, and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also now considered service-connected.

The Board has denied the service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is found to be at least as likely as not incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and etiology opinion are needed to determine the etiology of obstructive sleep apnea, as well as whether it is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim regarding the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for 63 training days in FY 2019 is dismissed because she already received the adjustment and reimbursement.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service, as well as whether it is aggravated by PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 20, 2019 for service connection for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 25, 2019 for service connection for left knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions prior to certain dates.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its aggravation by his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and bruxism.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist, particularly regarding opinions on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and due to herbicide exposure. The examiner must provide separate findings and rationales for both causation and aggravation.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.