Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence supports a causal link between the two conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a determination on whether he should have been granted TDIU prior to February 23, 2021. The Board finds that the Veteran has continuously pursued his service connection claims since April 25, 2018 and that the issue of whether TDIU can be granted prior to February 23, 2021 remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bulging disc is denied, and the claims for increased ratings for left knee and lumbosacral strain disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the cases for adjudication of the surviving spouse's eligibility to substitute in her husband's claims of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea with CPAP, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during honorable service and no indication that the current condition is related to any period of service.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is pending and requires further review with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction as there is no evidence that these conditions began in service or are related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, lumbar spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA will conduct new examinations to assess the severity of these conditions during the rating period.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, but has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence is at least in equipoise that OSA was due to PTSD, and the benefit of the doubt rule has been applied.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2020 for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The earliest evidence of the manifestation of the disability is from a private medical record dated January 22, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his military service, specifically his active duty training. The claim is being remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) as it is at least as likely as not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition is denied, and the claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to a procedural defect in how the appeal was filed.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent initial rating for topical dermatitis and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and herniated nucleus pulposus (lumbar spine disorder) was denied as the disability does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hammer toes. Service connection is denied for a cervical spine disability.