Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current diagnoses and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Specifically, the appellant's TERA exposure is not addressed in the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal before the Board.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, dizziness, TBI, headaches, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and diverticulitis based on new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep impairment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and various musculoskeletal conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused him to become obese, which was an intermediate step in the development of his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found that this established service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is a result of his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected depression and knee disabilities caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the extent it is related to the Veteran's service-connected right anterior tibia stress fracture and obesity, which was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's lumbosacral conditions and their relation to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need to provide a VA examination for the Veteran's sleep apnea claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition, back condition, and radiculopathy caused his weight gain, which in turn led to his current sleep apnea. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, finding that the Veteran's weight gain and obesity are related to his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically not having provided an examination that considers the relationship between the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and the currently diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative arthritis are granted as service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disorders.,Service connection for migraines is remanded due to a lack of opinion on their relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines and hypertension is granted. The claim for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a 60% disability rating from June 17, 2021. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for OSA due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 26, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. Since September 26, 2020, the disability remains rated at 10 percent and also denied for a higher rating.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limited range of motion or other functional impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as they were not adequately addressed in the initial decision. The Veteran's representative provided additional information suggesting a possible relationship between his service-connected condition and these conditions.