Sleep apnea decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral spine DDD was granted, and he is now rated at 40 percent effective September 27, 2012. He also received a separate 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of record and a need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, claimed as knee strains, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for gouty arthritis causing joint pain involving hands/fingers, elbows, hips, ankle, and feet is also denied.

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

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and had been present since then. The skin disease, sinusitis with headaches, meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh, left inguinal hernia, hemorrhoids, right wrist disability, and impotence are all granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the acquisition of medical records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion to revise their March 1984 decision denying service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting epidermolysis bullosa of both feet did not permanently increase in severity beyond its natural progression during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development, including obtaining records from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development and an examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service and continues to persist, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea was received on May 21, 2010. Since the relevant laws and regulations allow for payment of retroactive benefits only for the one-year period prior to the receipt of the claim, or on May 21, 2009, an effective date prior to May 21, 2009, for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for Bell's palsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding Bell's palsy prior to the issuance of a final decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk and use a cane.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's current OSA and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability.