Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's lung disability, characterized by obstructive sleep apnea and constricted bronchiolitis, warrants a rating of 60 percent under the Rating Schedule. The Board finds that this condition should be rated under DC 6602 due to its predominant nature.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to service, but there is not enough evidence in the record. The case is being sent back for further investigation.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, a left eye disability (other than dry eye syndrome with meibomian gland dysfunction and allergic conjunctivitis), sleep apnea, fatigue, and cardiovascular disability as the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's back brace for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease caused wear and tear to his clothing, which is in equipoise with the evidence. The Board granted an annual VA clothing allowance for 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the April 2019 remand directives and requires another remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran’s functional impairment during flare-ups of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is related to service or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports a link between his active duty service and the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. The appeals for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), diarrhea, left knee disability, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, vitiligo, and balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) were remanded.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease status post arthroscopic surgery and an initial rating greater than 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, while his obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of in-service bilateral groin injury, left foot/ankle disability, and sleep apnea have been granted. The right wrist, left thigh, erectile dysfunction secondary to low back disability, and rating for low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied. The effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is set at September 18, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted a 20 percent rating since December 18, 2018. He also received separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremities. The claims of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bladder cancer are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected Sinusitis, finding that there is no relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased disability evaluations and service connection. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to evaluate his shoulder and back disabilities, as well as a PTSD examination and an evaluation of his claimed tremors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or if it was incurred in service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy as they were granted in a February 2020 rating decision.,The Board has also dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, deviated septum, and pharyngitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his time in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to opt-in to the Appeals Modernization Act system for his claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The decision regarding extraschedular ratings for residuals of frostbite injuries to the hands and feet remains unchanged.