Sleep apnea Board decisions

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened and remanded for a new medical examination or opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, left wrist condition, left hand condition, and left hip condition due to incomplete or speculative medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his current diagnosis and in-service symptoms support this determination.

The Veteran's bilateral retinitis pigmentosa and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability, established continuity of symptoms since service, and provided sufficient medical evidence to establish a relationship between his in-service stressor and his current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Right Knee Disability issue is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from September 6, 2011 to September 19, 2023 and at 40 percent from September 20, 2023 to the present. The Board denied higher ratings for these periods.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is also granted. A TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate from August 2, 2019 are granted.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that an effective date of April 25, 2016 is warranted for the Veteran's bilateral lower radiculopathy.,The Veteran also seeks higher disability ratings for his back and leg conditions. The Board finds a remand necessary to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a need for a new VA opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity, which may have served as a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and TBI, as they are related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will need additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the issues by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded and will be addressed further.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and SMC are inextricably intertwined due to the need for additional development. The claims will be remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy require a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied service connection for prostate disorder, sleep apnea, skin condition (dermatitis), diverticulosis, and hearing loss.,For the remaining issues, the appeal is REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities and burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 30, 2010, for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The claim for service connection for muscle pain (undiagnosed illness) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus, diabetes mellitus type II, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received after the January 2020 SOC.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and osteochondral injury, as well as lumbosacral strain with fusion, have been granted service connection.,Left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted service connection based on their relationship to the service-connected low back disability. The unspecified depressive disorder is granted service connection due to its secondary nature to the Veteran's other disabilities.