Sleep apnea Board decisions

Service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine is granted. The Veteran's current DDD is related to an in-service back injury caused by a hard helicopter landing.

The veteran's 60 percent rating for low back disability was restored, but higher ratings and other claims were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The claim for right eye cataract was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, thoracic strain, right posterior lyric lesion SI joint, dextroscoliosis, scarring/atelectasis of left lower lobe, nonspecific mild pulmonary hyperinflation, pleural effusion, residuals of COVID-19, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis has been granted. The Board found that the veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected headaches.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for IBS and higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and IBS were denied. Service connection for GERD was granted.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection of a lumbosacral strain and cervical strain due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent evaluation of intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to insomnia with obesity as an intermediary step.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbosacral strain has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had continuous symptoms of a back disability since his service.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, but the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied service connection for both sleep apnea and diabetes, type II, due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist strain and lumbosacral strain were granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection of congestive heart failure as secondary to hypertensive vascular disease was granted. The claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and diaphragm paralysis were remanded.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to errors in obtaining necessary records and examinations.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for chronic adjustment disorder was denied. The appeals for service connection for asthma and sleep apnea were dismissed due to untimely filing.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a separate rating for obstructive sleep apnea, stating that separate ratings for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma are not permitted.

The veteran's claim for lumbosacral strain is being reopened due to new evidence. The claim for right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted and dismissed from appeal. Other claims, including those for a right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, and left upper chest scar, are being remanded for further review.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's sleep apnea, finding it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.