Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD, low back pain, right wrist pain, and sleeping disorder are remanded for further development due to service connection issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, right hip strain, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The low back lumbosacral strain was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of sleep apnea was denied as there were no pending claims prior to the February 17, 2022 supplemental claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral disc bulge with facet arthrosis, left elbow strain, right knee strain, a left knee condition, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's PFB claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee degenerative joint disease caused or aggravated his obesity and thus his sleep apnea. The decision is based on a preponderance of evidence in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) has been dismissed as the issues have already been adjudicated in a separate Board decision.,The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) associated with lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis has also been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for additional evidence, including a TERA specific examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to their service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's mixed sleep apnea with insomnia is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 24, 2011, for service connection of lumbar spine disability and denied his claims for service connection of hypertension and hyperthyroidism. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an opinion regarding how the appellant's service-connected disabilities, in combination with one another, impact his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining this additional information.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected mood disorder, and the Board grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, tension headaches, acne, sleep disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, neurological disorders affecting the lower extremities, and foot disorders. The Board found that none of these conditions warranted a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea disabilities due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.,VA is required to provide a VA examination and obtain medical opinions regarding the possible nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of January 19, 2021. The condition first manifested at least as early as April 2016.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and prostate cancer, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to adjustment disorder with anxiety must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's initial ratings for sleep apnea, GERD, tinnitus, and scars were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was also denied as there is no basis for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder is granted, and she receives a 30% rating for PTSD. The lumbosacral strain issue remains remanded, as does the allergic rhinitis and right knee strain issues.