Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation of scars, right knee and service connection for sleep apnea. The scar claim was denied due to the scar not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802. The sleep apnea claim was denied as there is no evidence that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease, including participation in a toxic exposure risk activity.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board has remanded his claim for service connection of OSA.,The AOJ failed to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's OSA is related to herbicide exposure or other TERA.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including sleep apnea, hypertension, left knee strain, left hip condition, right hip condition, foot pain, headaches, low back condition, and neck condition. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for a back disability is granted, and the appeal to establish an effective date prior to July 27, 2012, is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, skin disability, left knee disability, and left wrist ganglion cyst based on new evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's angioedema, hypertension, seizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid cancer residuals are all service-connected. The rating for angioedema is denied as it meets the maximum evaluation. Hypertension receives a 10 percent rating prior to December 29, 2019 and no higher thereafter. SMC based on need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and therefore grants service connection for OSA.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss but granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's current OSA was found to be incurred during his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the Veteran's attorney, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 10, 2014 for the establishment of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim was received within one year of his discharge from active duty.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinions are inadequate for adjudication and a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not providing notice of a hearing, and the Veteran is entitled to one.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The initial rating for the service-connected sarcoidosis remains at noncompensable (0%) due to lack of evidence showing more than minimal impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on a direct basis, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support this determination. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically cervical spine degenerative arthritis, retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or allergic rhinitis. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as his left testicular orchiectomy. The Board has granted this claim.