Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, and as a result, service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started during active service and are now found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further VA evaluation and consideration of his claim for service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, injury residuals, and low back pain.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to her in-service symptoms of weight gain, anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. As such, the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted service connection based on meeting multiple risk factors during active duty. The issues of sleep apnea, PTSD rating, and right elbow disability are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea disability had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective from the date of his claim. His hypertension was initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 26, 2013 and then increased to 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, and updated VA treatment records are required. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a mental disability is being remanded due to its inextricability with his PTSD claim. The case will be readjudicated after the PTSD claim is resolved.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims began during his military service. The May 2009 VA respiratory examination did not show any symptoms or complaints relating to sleep apnea in service and concluded that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left chest scar, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disorders is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims began during his military service. The May 2009 VA respiratory examination did not show any symptoms or complaints relating to sleep apnea in service and concluded that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his military service without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his in-service snoring and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected, but there is no evidence linking his obstructive sleep apnea to service.

The Veteran's kidney removal was not due to service, and the low back disability does not warrant a higher rating.,The left knee disability is already rated at its highest possible level of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for obstructive sleep apnea with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that may affect the severity assessments. The AOJ will consider this evidence in conjunction with the existing record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, and a 30 percent rating is assigned for his service-connected stress headaches.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claims regarding his bilateral knee disability and lumbosacral strain.