Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful right-hand scar from February 1, 2011, to his death in November 2021. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II, contributed to his cause of death. The decision grants service connection for the cause of death due to secondary aggravation by these conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with persistent insomnia and cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, which the Board finds to be proximately due to or related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder with psychotic features), sleep apnea, and bilateral elbow condition have been granted. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease prior to December 19, 2019 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease from December 19, 2019 was also denied due to lack of evidence showing it met the criteria for a higher rating.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was not granted an increased rating as there was no evidence that it manifested more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and has determined that he experienced symptoms of this condition during and since service. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, hepatitis C residuals, and a liver condition due to inadequate etiological opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus and chronic headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for memory loss, a neurological condition, diabetes, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, and unspecified osteoarthritis of multiple joints is remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his current condition is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected aphonia. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion from an ENT specialist.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner. The Veteran's current OSA is being reviewed again with additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral arm disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities. The remaining claims for joint pain, knee, ankle, and wrist disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claim for sleep apnea remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and clarification due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence addressing whether any of her service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which may be a substantial factor in causing the conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The Board will address his increased rating claims from October 2015 onwards.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, bowel condition, hemorrhoids, and hair loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bowel condition, hemorrhoids, and hair loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back disability and sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, OSA, and emphysema have been denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and lumbosacral strain did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 17, 2020. Therefore, the claim for TDIU was denied.