Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for unspecified muscle pain is dismissed. The AOJ also remanded several other issues including increased evaluations and service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, which is granted as special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied as the medical evidence does not support the need for a CPAP machine or chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for issues of service connection for left foot pain, skin condition, fibromyalgia, GERD, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle condition, and right shoulder condition due to untimely filing.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome, specifically addressing the timing and nature of any in-service issues related to his sleep.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted service connection. The claims for OSA, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to incomplete or conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claims for frequent urination, erectile dysfunction, chronic pain multiple joints, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and chronic bradycardia, acid reflux, bronchitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the presence of service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his request for a hearing. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a lack of a VA examination or medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn, and his claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left shoulder, left sinus tarsi syndrome disorder, right sinus tarsi syndrome disorder, left ankle condition and right ankle condition.,Service connection was granted for restrictive lung disease, lumbosacral strain condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, bilateral metatarsalgia condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and sleep apnea are granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for both conditions, with sleep apnea being secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea before the decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple skin conditions (hyperkeratotic eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea pedis, and rosacea) to the hands, feet, and face as secondary to medications taken for treatment of his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple skin conditions (hyperkeratotic eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea pedis, and rosacea) to the hands, feet, and face as secondary to medications taken for treatment of his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or limitation of motion to a degree warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for sinusitis was denied because there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis, and the Veteran does not have objective indications of chronic disability.

The appeal for service connection of a back condition (also claimed as lumbosacral strain) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no persuasive evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,The VA examiners provided opinions based on their review of the medical literature and the Veteran's toxic exposure history, concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and obstructive sleep apnea were not caused by or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA. The case is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for central sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for an adequate toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) opinion.