Sleep apnea decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea were not shown to be related to his period of active duty or service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine spondylosis, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral wrists, bilateral knee replacement, and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle as these conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities as well as gout of the right hand, elbows, knees, and ankles. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as recurrent lumbosacral strain, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for post-operative lumbosacral spine disease is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder is related to his military service, granting service connection for a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and skin disease are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea syndrome is more likely related to his in-service sleep problems and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and defective color blindness are not related to his military service. The Veteran reported difficulty sleeping during service, but there is no clear evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to service or any aggravation thereof.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, a spinal disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, medial epicondylitis, and colon polyps, were denied as the evidence did not show their onset during active military service or within an applicable presumptive period thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records and possibly requesting a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be caused by his service-connected hearing loss.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ocular hypertension was denied. However, his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset in service or is otherwise related to a disease or injury in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the likely etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The Veteran withdrew his appeal.