Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence showing a relationship between his OSA and his military service, including PTSD.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea disability is proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being considered as a direct service connection claim, while her migraine headaches are being reconsidered given the presumption of soundness upon entry into service.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been received to support the previously denied claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a right shoulder condition, bilateral open angle glaucoma with cataract (claimed as bilateral eye condition), and bilateral leg varicose veins. As such, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (psychiatric disability). The hypertension claim is remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection is denied for hypercholesterolemia. Service connection is granted for bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to coronary artery disease.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's psychiatric, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and right knee disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was diagnosed shortly after his last period of active service and the Board has determined that it is reasonable to conclude that the condition initially became symptomatic during active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a left knee disability, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain have been dismissed due to the filing of a VA Form 10182 without withdrawing the prior request for supplemental review.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a lumbar spine disability, a left shoulder disability, a cervical spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Obesity was a substantial factor in causing the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

Service connection for a lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims were denied due to lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms during service, and the current conditions are not etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, with weight gain as an intermediary step. The decision grants service connection for OSA secondary to the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 8, 2016 for the service connection of meningioma and sleep apnea.

The proposed reduction in rating for service-connected lumbosacral strain from 40% to 20% is dismissed because the action was not a final decision affecting the provision of benefits.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was 60 degrees, which does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his low back condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase to this level, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran's TDIU claim since November 19, 2020, was granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was previously rated at 10 percent and increased to 20 percent effective September 22, 2021. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.