Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of the condition.

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

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims was caused by asbestos exposure during the decommissioning of the USS Accokeek. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding aggravation of pre-existing back pain during service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected Bell's palsy, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active duty service and is therefore granted as service connection.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease that would cause a psychiatric disability and there was no showing of continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder that he believes was caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the opinion regarding aggravation of the back disorder, is necessary.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The issue of TBI remains pending as further examination and opinion are required.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's right ankle disability, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disability claims.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and his obstructive sleep apnea with asthma is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has prevented him from obtaining or retaining gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.,For his right shoulder disorder, the Board determined there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding his PTSD and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from the July 2011 examiner regarding whether his current condition is related to in-service softball injury or MVA.