Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and ankle conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of PTSD, parasomnia, and sleep apnea due to the January 2019 rating decision being issued before the effective date of VA's modernized review system.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical disability. The right knee, left knee, bilateral flatfeet, and sleep apnea issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective March 18, 2019.,Service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted service connection, and his migraine headaches have been granted a 30% rating. The issue of whether the Veteran is in substantially gainful employment due to his migraines remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 26, 2019 remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% evaluation effective September 19, 2011. The decision also addressed the retroactive effective date of this rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is also remanded for a TDIU determination.,The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).,The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The case will be readjudicated after all development is completed.,The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and other specified trauma and stressor disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headache disability are also granted as secondary to the diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to outstanding medical records and a need to provide requested documents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and has remanded his claims regarding service connection for OSA, which is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's disability is not etiologically related to his active service.,The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's disability is not etiologically related to his active service.,The Board denied service connection for spondylotic myelopathy, finding that it is not due to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that it began during a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and continues to exist.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder (Crohn's disease), and heart disability (residuals of myocardial infarction) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to grant service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the cases of left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and sleep apnea disabilities due to lack of in-service onset or relationship.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than July 27, 2012 for the grant of TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran was found to have met the criteria for eligibility for schedular consideration of TDIU since March 26, 2011, but his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities began in March 2011 if not sooner, which is more than one year prior to the filing of the TDIU application. As such, an earlier effective date for TDIU cannot be awarded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and GERD with sliding hiatal hernia were not rated higher than the current disability ratings due to lack of evidence supporting more severe manifestations.