Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. However, his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left ring finger fracture disability remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor, obstructive sleep apnea, and a kidney disorder are all granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea has been aggravated by a service-connected disability, including PTSD. The RO should then readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and myositis are currently rated at 40 percent from July 6, 2006 to October 3, 2011. The rating is granted as the disability more closely approximates a 40 percent disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected post-traumatic headaches and lumbosacral strain have been granted, with the effective dates set at November 8, 2005 and September 13, 2004 respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring all pertinent medical treatment records are added to the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a travel board hearing. The Board will not make any determination on the merits of his claims until after this hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for nummular eczema, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active service and has continued since service. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, dorsal osteoarthritis, and maxillary sinusitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation file. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the lumbosacral spine and for bilateral hearing loss were denied by the RO. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is at least as likely as not the result of his military service, and thus grants service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are related to his military service, with the right knee disability being secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The sleep apnea is also considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during active service and is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical records. The Board will consider whether any diagnosed conditions are related to his military service or undiagnosed illnesses from his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbosacral/thoracic strain are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA will provide new examinations and consider all evidence, including lay testimony.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions in previous examinations regarding his gout, sleep apnea, and heel spur conditions.

The Veteran asserts that he has obstructive sleep apnea of service onset for which service connection should be granted. The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) due to a need for another VA examination by a specialist in sleep medicine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records prior to 2007 and a new examination to determine the presence of neurological disorders of the lower extremities. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to assess the current level of impairment due to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.