Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, variously diagnosed as scoliosis, chronic mechanical low back syndrome, lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar facet arthropathy, and lumbosacral disc degeneration is granted. The RO will remand the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, did not have its onset during his period of active service or a period of ACDUTRA and is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 5, 2012 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with contusion and degenerative arthritis (lumbar strain) is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's disability rating claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the July 2016 supplemental statement of the case. The appeal is now pending again, and a VA examination is required to address the etiology of his bilateral foot and knee disorders, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder based on presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's in-service ENT conditions are related to his current condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's OSA began during service and is related to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with posterior disc bulge and remanded the issue of an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases of GERD and sleep apnea for additional development, as well as the right ankle disability rating issue. The Veteran's attorney submitted articles suggesting that GERD may be related to mental health conditions and stressful life events, while another article indicated that sleep disordered breathing was common with TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right hand disability, and left hand disability. The service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder strain remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not support a link to service or any exposure thereto.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a bilateral hand condition, finding no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, left knee arthritis (flexion), partial ACL tear and status post left knee arthroscopy, and left knee arthritis (instability) due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation, specifically to determine if it is related to service-connected conditions or due to other factors.

The Veteran's low back disability, rated as lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 40 percent disabling. The rating has been maintained since January 9, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain and a TDIU rating due to incomplete examination findings. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to sleep apnea. The decision on service connection for sleep apnea is based on direct evidence.