Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine DDD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of OSA and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the condition and his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion due to potential toxic exposure from burn pits during his service in Southwest Asia. The Board finds a need to comply with the PACT Act provisions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to his active service, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on a lack of medical opinion addressing the relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his military service, particularly considering potential toxic exposure.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA is granted, while the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from December 2019 to March 5, 2020. As of March 5, 2020, the Veteran received a combined total rating of 100%, making the TDIU issue moot.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, while his TBI and other conditions are denied. The left knee instability receives a separate rating of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected right elbow disability, left second metatarsal stress fracture disability, lumbar spine disability, or tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not service connected, and has remanded for further action on his claim of sleep apnea.

The Veteran is seeking to have a March 2, 2009 rating decision that evaluated her rosacea as noncompensable under DC 7899-7825 revised due to CUE. The AOJ did not consider the applicability of DC 7800 and reviewed an outdated examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, with the restoration of disability ratings for GERD, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy from March 22, 2019. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 70%.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 18, 2007, for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that there is no basis for the assignment of an effective date earlier than March 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as these issues are no longer in dispute.,Right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of audiometric findings meeting VA criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease and depressive disorder. The decision also acknowledges that obesity may be an intermediate step between these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address whether his OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected COPD, rhinitis, and insomnia.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and needs to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether it is aggravated by his service-connected knee disability and tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions with obesity as an intermittent step. The evidence shows that the Veteran's weight gain, which is a result of his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions, led to his diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, needs further examination and opinion. Specifically, a medical opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's OSA had its onset during service or is related to toxic exposure risk activities at Camp Lejeune. The Board also requires an opinion on whether the Veteran's OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, right foot arthritis, and right ankle tendonitis.