Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent since January 6, 2011. A separate 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with DDD of the lumbosacral spine is also granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The Board also remanded the issue of respiratory disability (including tuberculosis) due to Gulf War exposure, but did not reach a decision on it.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Service connection is also granted for these conditions as they are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a TMJ disorder and denied service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes. The issue of sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The appeal regarding the rating of PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as the TDIU prior to July 12, 2017, is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that his current low back condition is not related to his active service and that presumptive service connection does not apply.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including considering his service treatment records and medical articles submitted by him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for OSA is also granted.,An effective date prior to July 8, 2014, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, as it may be related to his service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the lack of a clear connection between the Veteran's sleep apnea and service, despite evidence showing incidents during active duty.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids and that her condition began during active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated based on their underlying spinal conditions. The current appeal pertains to increased ratings for these conditions.,For the period prior to February 20, 2013, the Veteran’s lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. Since then, both conditions have been rated at 20 percent.

The appeal regarding service connection for a right knee disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory problems/sleep apnea, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents in service. The VA is required to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed respiratory disability, including obstructive sleep apnea, is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck, low back, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings, service connection for a left foot disorder, and sleep apnea have been returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus and foot strain are of service origin, while sleep apnea is not. The Board denied the remaining claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted because the evidence establishes that it is at least as likely as not the disability was incurred in active service.