Sleep apnea decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment and personnel records, as well as new VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic bilateral foot rash and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine were found to have onset during active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain prior to March 5, 2004 was manifested by intermittent back pain with mild limitation of lumbar motion. No evidence of severe lumbosacral strain or ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine was found.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected low back disability was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU based on his current level of disability and inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU rating were denied. The Veteran was service-connected for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, depressive disorder, sleep apnea, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if service connection is warranted for sleep apnea or other sleep disturbance disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his low back injury claim. The psychiatric disability claim was also denied on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for the requested higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis is being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence and the need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and sleep apnea did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right olecranon epicondylitis and sinus disability with headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea has been granted service connection, but an initial rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder and is granting it.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and examination reports.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not service connected as it did not manifest during his active duty. Night sweats are not considered a qualifying disability due to an undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining OPM disability retirement records and a VA examination to determine the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a torn deltoid muscle of the left arm, tendonitis of the right shoulder, disc herniation in the lumbosacral spine, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.