Sleep apnea decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis are related to service, while his umbilical hernia is not.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected back disability from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective October 1, 2007 was not proper. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for eczematous dermatitis is also denied.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and service-connected asthma, as well as other issues related to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since discharge from service, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his spinal conditions were denied, and he was granted service connection for sleep problems. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to provide a VA examination. The examiner will determine if the Veteran's sleep disorder began during active service or is related to any incident of service, and whether it is caused or aggravated by pain medication he takes for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for kyphosis, degenerative disc disease and degenerative facet joint disease of the thoracic spine and lumbar spine with radiculopathy; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia; degenerative joint disease of the right hip; obstructive sleep apnea; and joint pain are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is causally related to his time in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had symptoms of sleep apnea during service and has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain with sciatica is related to his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint disease was granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, effective from July 27, 2007. Bilateral hearing loss was not service-connected and thus no rating is assigned.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hernia, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II and eczema (claimed as rash/itching), are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, and thus grants this aspect of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that there was no nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative spurring of the left tibiotalar joint is granted with a 10 percent initial rating.,Tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea are both found to be related to military service, warranting service connection.