Sleep apnea decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his obstructive sleep apnea, and also wants an earlier effective date. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records from various locations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, as well as other potential causes of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination and completion of VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records from the VA Northern California Health Care System. A more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability must be conducted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing sleep apnea disability permanently increased in severity during his period of active duty service from October 2007 to February 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, but his sleep apnea claim for service connection was denied. The decision is mixed as it granted one issue and denied another.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected conditions warranted higher evaluations prior to July 8, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and sleep disorders are not related to service, while his right ankle and left elbow disabilities were shown during service. However, as these conditions did not manifest for many years after service or are not linked to service, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability due to incomplete development of the record and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizophrenia did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is related to his in-service sleep problems, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service, including asbestos exposure. The Board finds that the claim for service connection for sleep apnea must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, myositis (also claimed as lower back pain), with intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if SSA records are available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.