Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, both secondary to service-connected pes planus. Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea as it is not related to service or caused by service-connected asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or other factors. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records. The Board will consider all submitted evidence, including private treatment records, during its review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected back disorder and obesity (as an intermediate step).

The Board has found a predecisional duty to assist error and is remanding the case for further action, including sending VCAA notice letters to the Veteran's current address of record.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period from September 12, 2019 to January 2, 2023 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral radiculopathy disorder and chronic kidney disease due to a lack of an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's participation in toxic exposure risk activities is conceded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 10 percent since October 19, 1993, and increased to 20 percent effective March 3, 2023.,The Board is remanding the issues of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to March 2, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent from March 3, 2022, to March 2, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including residuals of heat exhaustion, chronic headaches, skin disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, lumbar spine disabilities, and radicular pain. Service connection is denied for hypertension, IBS, and OSA.

The Veteran's tinnitus, gout in the right hand and bilateral lower extremities, and sleep apnea are granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension, arthritis, neck condition, restless leg syndrome, sciatica, and back condition are denied service connection.

The Veteran's right foot frostbite residuals are granted as service-connected, and the claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. Service connection was granted for left knee strain and right knee strain.,Service connection for cold exposure of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a collarbone disability, were not established.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and migraines were all denied increased ratings.,Service connection for hepatic steatosis was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and right hip strain are being remanded due to the need for VA medical opinions regarding direct service connection and efforts to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for her service-connected psychiatric disability is denied. The claim for an increased rating on lumbosacral strain remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hip conditions, right hand condition, and OSA are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.