Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The rating for depressive disorder is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claim for a low back disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition that began in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to her service-connected other specified trauma-related disorder, is being remanded. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion regarding the nature and etiology of her sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to in-service burn pit exposure or aggravated by her service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering whether obesity served as an intermediate step between sleep apnea and service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is now pending again.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, particularly in relation to his service-connected hypertension.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The claims for service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's application for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility under VA regulations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disability was denied an evaluation greater than 10% prior to January 2, 2019 and a rating greater than 40% from that date.,The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals were also denied an initial evaluation greater than 20%. The RO found the condition secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy and lower urinary tract symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, a skin disorder of the right foot (cellulitis), and rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for headaches, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and sleep apnea have been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left foot plantar fasciitis, chest wall pain (strain), and pharyngitis have been granted. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination addressing the etiology of chest wall pain and pharyngitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his dental condition, back degeneration, left knee condition, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is directed to provide information about any private medical records from West Suburban Dental and Christiana Care Hospital System.

The reduction in the rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability from 40 to 20 percent was improper, and the restoration of a 40 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if there is any link.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examination and SSA records to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.