Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and cervical spine degenerative joint disease have been dismissed due to the Veteran's authorized representative submitting a written withdrawal of these claims prior to the Board decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to his in-service conditions or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, finding that the Veteran's OSA is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back condition, to include lumbosacral strain, was denied as the evidence did not show that his spine had a forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or a combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including a new VA examination that complies with recent Court decisions.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's knee disorder is not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by active duty service or reserve training.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension, as the evidence does not support its onset during active duty service or reserve training. The Board found that the Veteran’s current diagnosis of hypertension is more likely related to his age and weight rather than any military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service and a new VA examination is needed to determine if it was incurred in or is otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea and chronic daytime fatigue, is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for reopening service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraines, but denied service connection for a back disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The initial rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left and right ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with right foot pes planus were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for his bilateral plantar fasciitis with right foot pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of various conditions, including kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to issue a supplemental statement of the case with consideration of all pertinent evidence received since November 24, 2015.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, gout, rhinitis, acne vulgaris and PFB, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of service connection is December 10, 2014.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's liposarcoma is causally related to his presumed exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune. As such, service connection for liposarcoma is granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the July 2019 VA opinion is not adequate to address whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder or cervical spine condition caused him to become obese, and whether obesity was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination and opinion.