Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Veteran died of multiple conditions, none of which were service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the cause of death to any in-service event or condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and COPD, which may be related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his low back disability has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, and glenohumeral musculoligamentous strain of the right shoulder have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar strain remains at 10 percent, effective March 30, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal due to the increase in his combined disability rating to 100 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for all issues on appeal, including the rating for right knee strain, status post septoplasty, and service connection for transitional lumbosacral vertebra with bilateral pseudoarthrosis with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, L3-S1.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbosacral spine disability and remanded it to the RO for further development. The Veteran's current low back pain is not considered to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 60 percent for post-phlebitic syndrome left lower extremity, service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, hypoapnea, sleep disordered breathing syndrome, and TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, atopic dermatitis, TMJ disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, and conjunctivitis. The denial is based on new and material evidence not having been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain resulted in a 20 percent rating, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed sleep apnea, skin disorder (neurodermatitis), and low back disorder are related to his period of service.,However, the evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and migraine headaches have been granted. He is now rated at the highest possible rating (100%) for his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in active duty and is not proximately due to, nor is it the result of his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection for these conditions.