Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to asbestos exposure, including for PTSD and sleep apnea. The issues are related to hazardous exposures during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea with CPAP machine due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's low back disability and related sciatic radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities are rated at a 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with L5 herniated nucleus pulposus and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) from September 8, 2015. The Veteran's low back disability is also rated at a 60 percent based on incapacitating episodes of IVDS since October 30, 2019.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the current condition is at least as likely as not caused by and aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection due to environmental exposures or a service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a need for new medical opinions regarding the etiology of OSA, left knee disorder, and respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches secondary to his cervical spine disability is granted. Other issues are remanded, and the effective date of TDIU is set prior to February 23, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability secondary to low back disability, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding her symptoms are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his knee and finger surgeries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as he is employed and has provided no evidence to support his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability rating is remanded for further development, including a VA peripheral nerves examination and obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The cases are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, thyroid disorder, COPD, OSA, headaches, and a GI disorder are denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for CFS was not granted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service. Service connection for a thyroid disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, including exposure to contaminants in Southwest Asia and inoculations.,COPD, OSA, and headaches were pending remand for additional etiological opinions considering the Veteran's reported exposures to burn pits and other environmental factors during his military service. Service connection for a GI disorder is also pending as there are no current diagnoses or clear evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that a new medical opinion is needed to determine whether the Veteran's obesity or his other service-connected conditions caused him to become obese and aggravated his obesity.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. His disability has not resulted in forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or a combined range of motion (ROM) limited to 120 degrees or less, even considering functional loss.,Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied, while his service connection claims were granted. The Veteran was awarded a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and left shoulder condition (post left acromioplasty with slight separation at acromioclavicular joint).

The Veteran's service-connected physical and mental disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 18, 2019.