Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for lumbosacral strain was granted but with a reduced percentage from July 24, 2013 onwards. Service connection for PTSD and gastrointestinal condition was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, but the issue of SMC based on aid and attendance is still pending.

For the period from March 2, 2009 to January 10, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,For the period from June 14, 2012 to January 10, 2018, the Veteran’s psychiatric disability was rated as total and his lumbosacral strain and headache disabilities were together ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis with COPD. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee condition were granted service connection.,A 70 percent rating was assigned for the Veteran’s unspecified trauma related disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 20 percent for his service-connected gunshot wound to the right thigh with healed fracture to the right femur has been granted. The Board also found that he is entitled to an additional 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5317 for muscle Group XVII, which involves the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus muscles due to his service-connected gunshot wound. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to obesity due to PTSD and his service-connected gunshot wound has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for verification of herbicide exposure in Iraq. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, are related to service exposure. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and sleep apnea as these conditions have been fully granted with appropriate disability ratings and effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to inadequate examination opinions and failure to address all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for left eye cataracts, liver disease, pityriasis rosacea, left knee osteoarthritis, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension has been restored or reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea disability is a result of his military service and grants this claim.

The Board has decided that an examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's recurrent sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea. The decision also notes that there are no service connection issues related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his TDIU claim is denied.

The claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the Veteran not timely initiating an appeal with respect to the June 2014 denial of these claims.

The Veteran's sinus disorder and sleep apnea with asthma and dyspnea claims were denied. The sinus disorder claim was denied as the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service, while the sleep apnea claim was denied for both periods of time.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The VA needs to provide a new opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected dysthymia disorder and for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for OSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his first period of active service and is related to this service. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.