Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional consideration due to a request for a video conference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea and granted a 30 percent rating for sarcoidosis, but remanded his increased rating claim for sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ankle disorders have been denied. The claim for service connection for the lumbar spine disorder has not been adjudicated as it is not part of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and OPM disability file. The claims will be reconsidered in light of the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a left foot disorder, claimed as nerve damage, to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle tendonitis. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disability and to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 5, 2010 for the award of service connection for sleep apnea as there is no indication that he filed a claim earlier than March 5, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination and consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service back pain.

The Veteran's disability manifested by sleep apnea is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including lumbosacral strain with acute disc rupture and postoperative fusion at L3-L5, is considered to be at least as likely as not incurred during his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. He will be provided with the option of rescheduling a hearing in accordance with his request.

The Veteran's degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is rated at 20 percent, and his associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity warrants a separate 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have incepted during service. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including examinations and the provision of SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is likely attributable to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective January 3, 2007. The condition arose from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hepatitis C with cirrhosis, sleep apnea, and a chronic headache disorder have all been granted. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.