Sleep apnea decisions — 2011

The Board has ordered additional development to gather more information about the Veteran's claims for service connection, including examining his respiratory and skin conditions and determining if they are related to his active duty service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action, including providing VCAA notice to the Veteran and obtaining addendum opinions from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression. The claims for low back disorder, sleep apnea, and unspecified pulmonary disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development regarding his claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of reopening his previously denied compound fracture claim has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including heart condition, hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis, restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, allergies, and residuals of a right leg injury, were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his chronic bronchitis, as well as the issue of residuals of pneumonia are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability resulted from an in-service injury and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including broken teeth, migraine headaches, head injury, dislocated shoulder, hip arthritis, knee arthritis, nose and jaw injuries, diabetes mellitus, thyroid issues, lung problems, throat issues, breathing problems, allergies, gum bleeding, loss of smell/taste, sleep apnea, swallowing problems (dysphagia), blepharitis, ulcers, chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorders, fear of heights, memory problems, and insomnia are not supported by the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic acne rosacea, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service due to noise exposure. The effective date is not specified as it was already in effect.

The VA examiner found that the appellant's current low back disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially granted with a 10 percent rating from June 1, 2006 to November 8, 2006 for lumbosacral strain and separate ratings of 10 percent each for left and right sciatic neuropathy. Since December 1, 2010, the Veteran's disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a bilateral foot disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an increase in special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need of aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with facet syndrome and disc bulges, but denied an increased rating for left knee disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis is remanded due to the need to obtain his private medical records.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the limitation of forward flexion to 45 degrees without additional loss due to pain or other factors. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted due to her service-connected disabilities, which include limitation of motion of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee disability. The Board found that these conditions rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.