Sleep apnea decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the conditions are not directly related to military service or secondary to obesity. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, finding that the December 1968 rating decision denying service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and sleep apnea, as well as his claim for an increased rating for low back pain with Schmorl's nodes L2/3 and 5, with degenerative disc disease. The combined evaluation was correctly calculated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examination and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases for its determination regarding functional limitation during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or treatment for sleep apnea. The first clinical diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was in 2008, many years after separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastroesophageal disorders are not related to his military service.,The Board determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his residuals of a left shoulder injury and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of recent medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and authorized examination reports. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder must also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. A VA examination of the lumbosacral spine will also be scheduled.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for sleep apnea, with the Board finding that it is as likely as not related to military service.

The Board has granted entitlement to service connection for residuals from a traumatic brain injury and denied entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing due to his failure to attend the previously scheduled hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and a skin disorder remain on appeal.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's sleep disorder to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing service treatment records and any outstanding VA or private medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board video-conference hearing on his claims of increased rating for headaches and reopening of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 24, 2008. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other orthopedic factors.