Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his back disability, but the VA examinations from the period under review are inadequate. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an opinion as to the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's back disability during the period under review.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and COPD are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a direct link to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's smoking history was more likely the cause of these conditions.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions caused his obesity, which in turn led to his current condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU, major depressive disorder with insomnia and memory loss, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no competent evidence to suggest that PTSD contributed to his passing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, right eye disability, and left eye disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for OSA, finding that it was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma, finding that the evidence supports a link between the two conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the Veteran's rosacea, which is related to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in gainful employment as of January 1, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be related to his service-connected tinnitus and PTSD, respectively, and the claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for back disability is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection requests for neck condition, right ankle condition, and sleep apnea are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and musculoskeletal disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not the cause of his current Obstructive Sleep Apnea, thus granting service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to potential in-service exposure, but no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection and increased ratings for PTSD, sleep apnea, right knee disability, limitation of left knee extension, limitation of left knee flexion, and left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected. The VA examiner did not address causation or aggravation, and a new examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's disability rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and thoracic spine sprain was reduced from 40% to 20%, effective February 12, 2025. The reduction was improper as the evidence did not demonstrate improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left hip disabilities, including his ruptured left gluteus medius and associated conditions.