Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for a Right Knee condition as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The left knee scar and ankle disability are denied, with no compensable rating assigned.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, insomnia, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for Huntington's disease, headaches claimed as secondary to PTSD, and sleep apnea claimed as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examination and remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine DJD, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve was denied. A 20 percent rating is granted for the right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, headaches, and others.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity, which is due to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and thoracic strain, was a major factor in developing his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently enrolled in college and has attempted to re-enter the workforce. The Board finds that his unemployability is due to his mental health conditions rather than his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim is based on direct service connection due to symptoms that began during service and have continued since.

The Board has determined that no new and relevant evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral foot disability, and acne. The Veteran's additional lay statements were found to be cumulative.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, asthma, and an increased rating for hypertension have been dismissed due to the Higher-Level Review still being pending at the time of the May 2022 VA form 10182 Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heat exhaustion, lumbar spine condition, obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and OCD), and opiate addiction due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is not competent to provide medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional medical opinions, including those related to valvular heart disease, keratoconjunctivitis, upper extremity radiculopathy, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, a skin condition, shin splints, knee meniscal tear, muscle/tendon strain of the lower leg, and sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.

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