Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for low back disability, left shoulder condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bilateral knee conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder bursitis, tinnitus, left knee limitations, and right knee instability, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 17, 2018. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected low back and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral strain associated with bilateral pes planus, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain status post-surgery associated with bilateral pes planus, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain associated with bilateral pes planus, right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, right shoulder strain, and onychomycosis were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes. Right shoulder strain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited flexion. Onychomycosis required only topical therapy.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The cases of OSA and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service. The decision also grants secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The TDIU claim is also being deferred due to its interrelated nature with the rating issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to his military service or a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted at entry and a VA examination found it aggravated by service-connected conditions. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected back disability is dismissed as he has requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because the appellant's attorney withdrew the appeal in September 2024.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of feet fungus, lower back injury, PTSD, and sleep apnea were dismissed as they were not timely filed within one year after the April 2018 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Meniere's syndrome and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions, duty to assist errors, and potential exposure to toxic substances during service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and degenerative arthritis on an aggravation basis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing back disability was aggravated during his periods of active service from June 2010 to March 2011 and May 2013 to January 2014.

The Veteran's OSA is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The effective date for TDIU was granted from May 17, 2016.