Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal because it was filed concurrently with a previous appeal for the same issue, and concurrent appeals are not allowed.

The Veteran's appeal on service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The appeals for dental and oral disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral breast duct ectasia, athlete's foot, and erectile dysfunction with epididymitis are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the extent of functional loss.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, but denied the claims for service connection for respiratory problems (rhinitis and sinusitis), headaches, a foot condition, and a back condition.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea, but the other issues remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, right ankle strain, and lumbosacral strain on a direct basis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence rather than complete medical opinions.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2020 for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in March 2017 but reopened in October 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of disability prior to January 22, 2020.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, muscle rigidity, constipation and IBS, dysphagia, stroke, hydrocephalus, poor balance and postural instability, right bundle branch blockage (RBBB) causing pacemaker, bradykinesia, sleep apnea, and cognitive deficits are all found to be related to his service-connected Parkinson's disease. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his trauma and stressor related disorder and bipolar and related disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the VA Form 10182 received on April 20, 2022 is a duplicate of an earlier form submitted on April 12, 2022. The issues you raised are identical to those in your previous appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as secondary to hypertension and related to toxic exposure. The current examination provided by VA does not adequately address the legal standard for secondary service connection, nor does it provide an opinion on whether OSA was aggravated by service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and left hip strain due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding whether his lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left hip disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a spine disorder and an eye disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ will consider any evidence submitted during the higher-level review process.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to have begun in service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition on a direct basis.

The reduction of the disability rating for lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain syndrome was not proper, and a 20 percent rating is restored. The issue of service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy (claimed as neck pain) requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including OSA and shortness of breath, are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed active duty service.,The Veteran is also asked to provide verification of any additional periods of service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or TBI. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.