Sleep apnea decisions — 2010

The Board denied the severance of service connection for prostatitis and lumbosacral strain, as well as the reopening of the claim for a psychiatric disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability that he contends was incurred during active duty in the Arkansas Army National Guard. The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if his current back disability is related to this incident.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current asthma is not etiologically linked to his service-connected deviated septum, and thus service connection for asthma cannot be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for uveitis, neurosarcoidosis with myelopathy and optic nerve involvement, and anemia, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service or exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 30, 2007. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety reaction and lumbosacral strain with arthritis leave him in need of assistance or result in his being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and coronary artery disease, both secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating. The ratings for his right knee and left knee disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's pre-existing dorsal and lumbosacral strain, right hip disability, and numbness and tingling in the right leg and foot increased in severity during service and were aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her active service and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 12, 2005 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbosacral spine and tinea unguium were denied. The VA found that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral spine disability, service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his lumbosacral spine disability, and TDIU due to his lumbosacral spine disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's skin disability, including chloracne and rosacea, is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current skin disability is related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. His PTSD claim remains inapplicable as it does not involve a service connection issue.