Sleep apnea decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinea pedis. The Board confirmed the 30 percent evaluation for PTSD from June 6, 2000 to January 20, 2001, granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD from January 26, 2001 to October 23, 2002, and again granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD from February 1, 2003 to June 28, 2004. The case was remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and concerns about the reliability of audiometric testing results.

The Board finds that further development is required to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA examinations and additional medical records. The case is being remanded to comply with these requirements.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the case needs further clarification regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and reactive airway disease. The claim will be remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations and the provision of additional medical records. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for heart disease with clogged arteries, a disability rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. He must also be afforded a VA examination to assess the nature and extent of his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hiatal hernia and total disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. 4.30 was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been evaluated at a 10 percent disability rating since the effective date of service connection, and this rating is maintained as it does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The increased rating claims for right knee disability and left knee instability are also granted.

The Board has granted increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, gout of the right great toe, and several forms of joint dysfunction. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, diagnosed as sleep apnea, was incurred in and caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and its required medications have contributed to his weight gain, which has aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected depression.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 60 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The decision grants the higher ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his depressive disorder or degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, nor did it meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not a manifestation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with DDD and thoracic facet dysfunction with DDD, thus denying a separate disability rating for this condition.