Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received since the August 2020 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (also claimed as a neck condition), lumbosacral strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, and right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inconsistencies in the January 2022 VA examination reports and a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's intent when filing his Notice of Disagreement. The AOJ is directed to schedule new examinations, obtain retrospective medical opinions, and clarify the severity of the Veteran's disabilities during the relevant period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need to obtain authorization to request private treatment records from his primary care physician and chiropractor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused significant mobility issues, leading the Board to find that he has lost the use of at least one foot. As a result, eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical strain disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate VA examinations in February 2018 and April 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis and other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, as new and relevant evidence supports the claim.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with MDD and lumbosacral strain with DDD. The Veteran's obesity is considered an intermediate step in this relationship.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (zero percent) and his lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and tinnitus. The claims for right elbow, left elbow, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to a lack of medical opinions addressing their onset during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is not secondary to his conceded Agent Orange exposure and there is no evidence that OSA was caused by any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is not a causal relationship between these conditions and his active service or any related exposure. The evidence does not support a nexus to PTSD or toxic exposures.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various conditions, including lumbosacral strain with scoliosis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for atypical liposarcoma was granted with an effective date of January 17, 2020. The Board found that the grant of service connection was based on direct evidence and not a change in law or administrative issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, chronic headaches, and sleep apnea due to a lack of current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, GERD, and lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,New evidence has been submitted that may support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.