Sleep apnea decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including Gulf War Syndrome, depression, neuropathy, radiculopathy, and various other symptoms. The issues are related to service connection for these conditions, with some seeking reopening of a previously denied claim for migraine headaches.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea. The Board has determined that a medical examination is needed to determine if his current sleep apnea is related to his military service, specifically his inservice complaints of snoring.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected L4-5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 40 percent prior to November 4, 2005 and increased to 50 percent since that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit. The claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with lumbar fracture and for service connection for a right rib disability are still pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not found to be directly related to service or a service-connected disability, and the Board determined that it is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of the current disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues, including determining whether his current sinusitis, headaches, and sleep apnea are related to his military service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his military service or to his other service-connected conditions, and grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claims will be adjudicated again after any necessary development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back and right thumb disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board videoconference hearing due to his request for such. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and an increased rating claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is service connected as it began during his military service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether it is related to asthma and/or service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his migraines and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has granted service connection for numbness and tingling of the fingertips and both hands (bilateral CTS), finding that it was incurred in service.