Sleep apnea decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began in service and was aggravated during a period of active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sleep apnea that is attributable to military service or caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, and the Board grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lower back disability renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since June 9, 2004. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture. As such, these conditions are considered secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his coronary artery disease, bilateral knee sprain, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing as requested. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for service-connected headaches and PTSD, and seeking service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating greater than 20 percent for his service-connected low back disorder was dismissed because a timely substantive appeal was not filed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and hypertension.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any arthralgia of multiple joints, including lumbosacral spine disorder, and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in active military service and the Board finds that she has experienced a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's urticaria pigmentosa associated with mastocytosis is rated at 30 percent effective as of March 18, 2008. This rating reflects the severity of his condition based on recurrent debilitating episodes and intermittent systemic immunosuppressive therapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, insomnia, and hypertension.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating of 20 percent is granted effective January 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.