Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine the current severity of his MDD and whether it caused or aggravated obesity, which may affect his OSA. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to assess whether his MDD at least as likely as not caused his obesity and if any sleep apnea would have occurred without obesity.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran contends that his current condition is related to his military service and a service-connected disability, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder, has been granted. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for left wrist tenosynovitis and whether new evidence supports reopening claims for right knee and left knee disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner was asked to provide a retrospective determination on whether the symptoms at the time of service were indicative of OSA, and to address whether the disability is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected back and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of entitlement to service connection for skin cysts, a sinus disability and a back disability are remanded.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy due to lack of evidence showing increased severity during the relevant periods.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and secondary service connection for AF, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative disc disease, femoral radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and sciatic radiculopathy. The remand requests additional examinations to address functional impairment due to flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran's rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that there is no evidence of polyps or incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service and is granted.,The Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder related to his in-service stressor. A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to receipt of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to April 23, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating of 70 percent or higher for PTSD from that date is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is established. The appeal regarding service connection for asthma is dismissed.

Your claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine strain has been granted and effective as of November 12, 2003. The issue is now dismissed.

The Veteran's eczema is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding its relationship to his Gulf War service and toxic exposure.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding its secondary relationship to PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and psychotropic medication.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for headaches as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability is granted, but a right hip disability and obstructive sleep apnea claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Veteran maintains that his condition is more severely disabling than reflected in the currently assigned 10 percent initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations in order to determine whether his painful scar, left arm and sleep apnea are related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to in-service symptoms reported by his family members, and thus remands the case for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a headache disorder, hypertension, dizziness, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and sleep disturbances. The hearing loss rating issue is also remanded.