Sleep apnea decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the receipt of a signed 'Appeals Satisfaction Notice' acknowledging his awards and requesting withdrawal of all remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted, with a 30% rating for PTSD effective from April 25, 2007.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation counseling records and arranging a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia and sleep apnea. The Board also found that his sleep apnea was incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected heart disability and thus, does not warrant secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain and trigeminal neuralgia are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for spina bifida occulta of S1 is denied, but her claim for a chronic lumbosacral strain is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to documented in-service back injuries and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was present during service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 1, 2009 substantive appeal was not timely filed and thus his claims were denied.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical records and personnel/administrative records from Fort Ord Medical Clinic, as well as a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and to reopen his claim for low back disability. The decision is final as it pertained to the original denial of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, lumbar strain, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension, and sciatic radiculopathy, require him to use a wheelchair for mobility. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in the evaluation of his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left S1 lumbar radiculopathy was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as secondary to the lumbosacral spine disability), and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea disorder, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and sleep apnea, effective October 12, 2007, based on the Veteran's new claim submitted in October 2007.