Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for OSA must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's OSA.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is found to have begun during active service and has been recurrent since then. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and the effective date of prostate cancer. The Veteran's OSA claim is related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, while his prostate cancer may be due to exposure to smoke pits during his deployment in Iraq.

The Veteran's ratings for cervical strain, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and lumbosacral strain were reduced from their previous levels due to improvement in the disability. The appeal is denied as these reductions are proper.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was proximately due to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and OSA. The Veteran contends that his current OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. Left ear sensorineural hearing loss is granted, while right ear sensorineural hearing loss and headaches are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will consider each issue individually.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether her sleep apnea is related to active service or secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea by medications prescribed for his service-connected conditions. The case is therefore being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is granted. The claims for hypertension and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's PTSD, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, migraine headaches, and bilateral shin splints are all under review.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status beyond September 1, 2019 was denied as she no longer met the criteria for this benefit after that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic conditions, including left shoulder and cervical disabilities. The decision is based on new evidence that supports a relationship between the Veteran's OSA condition and his service-connected orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, low back disability, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, left arm and right arm disabilities, left elbow and right elbow disabilities, left foot and right foot disabilities, left hand little finger, right hand little finger, left hand index finger, right hand index finger, left hand long finger, right hand long finger, left hand ring finger, right hand ring finger, left hand thumb, right hand thumb, left knee, right knee, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity cold exposure, right upper extremity cold exposure, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability have also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and initial rating for esophageal stricture was granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea is set at July 22, 2011. An initial rating of 30 percent for esophageal stricture is assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea should be remanded due to a duty to assist error and because of the reasonable possibility that addressing secondary service connection could aid in substantiating his claim.