Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examination in May 2012 is inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for obstructive sleep apnea or left bundle branch block as secondary to OSA. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and skin disorder.

The Veteran's sinus disorder, diagnosed as vasomotor rhinitis, was incurred during his period of active duty service. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting service connection for this condition. For the psychiatric and sleep apnea claims, additional VA medical opinions are needed to address all relevant evidence of record.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent prior to January 22, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a service connection for hypertension, hyperkeratosis of the feet, GERD or sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disc herniation and associated radiculopathy are currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 29, 2016. His hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was neither incurred in nor caused by active military service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing small airway condition, which is considered a congenital disease, underwent an increase in severity during service resulting in current sleep apnea. The Board finds that this aggravation occurred within the meaning of VA regulations and grants service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated nasal septum.

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

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 70% prior to September 16, 2010. From that date forward, the rating for PTSD has been denied.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea remains unresolved as it is not related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including a VA medical opinion on lung cancer and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The claims for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder were reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, as residuals of a traumatic brain injury, was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was reopened and granted. Service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, is also granted. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke is not etiologically related to his active service or service-connected disabilities. The claim for secondary service connection for a stroke remains denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, total left knee replacement, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology in service.