Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on his claims for special home adaptation and specially adapted housing. His other claims are also under review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral pes planus with hammertoe deformities and heel spurs, as well as his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner will need to address whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO (Travel Board hearing). The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right hip strain are aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The service connection for the lumbosacral spine disorder to include degenerative disc disease and facet syndrome was granted, but the issue of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent, prior to October 8, 2013, and 60 percent thereafter for degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision could be made.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea developed as a result of service-connected residuals of a fractured nose, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 31, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring that all pertinent evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for COPD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, or head injury. The Veteran is entitled to increased evaluations for focal pain syndrome with severe migraine headaches and post-traumatic scar of the left forehead.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and TBI were denied. Service connection was granted for cervical spine disability with a 10% rating effective July 16, 2009, and lumbar spine disability with a 10% rating prior to November 28, 2011, and a 20% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to symptoms he experienced in service, and the Board finds that service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease, herniated disc L5-S1 with chronic low back pain and right side lumbosacral facet joint pain is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including blurred vision, night sweats, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depression and anxiety), residuals of frostbite of the ears, and low back disorder. The decision is based on a finding that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity sciatica is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate.