Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot disability due to incomplete records, need for medical opinions regarding etiology, and reasonable possibility of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chondrosarcoma left chest, s/p removal/resection is denied as the evidence does not show three ribs removed.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset in service and persisted thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether in-service herbicide agent exposure is related. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease, are not considered as causes for his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD due to inadequate previous opinions. The Veteran's MDD is alleged to have affected his ability to use a CPAP mask, potentially worsening his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hip replacement residuals and lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy were granted effective November 18, 2010. The right hip was rated at 50% from November 18, 2010 to December 6, 2015, and the left hip was rated at 50% beginning November 18, 2010. The lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy was also granted effective November 18, 2010.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, has been granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol abuse and prescribed medications, caused or aggravated his obesity, which is considered a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for any of the available rates under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that her current diagnoses are not related to an in-service injury and thus denying her claim.

Service connection is granted for a right ankle sprain prior to August 2, 2023. Service connection since that date and for bilateral shin splints are denied.,The Veteran's liver disorder and obstructive sleep apnea have not been evaluated in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered her unemployable on an extraschedular basis since February 2, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a PTSD rating is denied as the evidence does not support awarding an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of an earlier formal or informal claim prior to May 16, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for uveal melanoma and metastatic melanoma are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding etiology.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for uveal melanoma and metastatic melanoma are also remanded as there is no opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraine headaches due to a finding of service connection in September 2023. The issues of new and material evidence for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and TBI residuals, cervical spine disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, recurrent sleep disability, heart disability, hypertension, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral pinguecula are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 2, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and lack of a VA medical opinion addressing the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his in-service exposure, including presumed burn pit exposure. The Veteran is presumed exposed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea claims are reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's eye disability (bilateral) claim is reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's lung disability (bronchitis), colon disability (ulcerative colitis), erectile dysfunction and/or vasectomy, kidney stones, and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.