Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep problems (including snoring with sleep apnea), restless leg syndrome, fractures, or arthritis (other than of the back and knees). The Veteran's STRs were silent for these conditions. Post-service treatment records showed current diagnoses but did not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with compression deformity of the body of L1, and degenerative changes including narrowing at L5-S1 has been rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that his condition warranted a higher evaluation to 40 percent due to functional loss approximating favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting a withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on additional functional loss or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The RO must schedule the Veteran for a Board hearing at the RO with notice provided to him at his current address.

Your claim for service connection for sleep apnea has already been granted and is dismissed.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's skin, gastrointestinal, and sleep apnea disabilities. The reduction in rating for vertigo was proper as there were objective findings of improvement.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted and that his current OSA is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his military service.,Service connection for interproximal bone loss of the upper left molar area (claimed as gum disease) has been granted. The condition had onset during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was addressed in the REMAND portion and is REMANDED.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for headaches, COPD (claimed as emphysema and lungs), and bilateral knee disability. The new evidence received since the final decisions does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea was reopened and granted. However, the denial of service connection for sinusitis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 18, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's stomach disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder condition, Graves disease, knee conditions, COPD, sleep apnea, or chest syndrome to service. The Veteran's GERD was attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to his service-connected sinusitis and/or hypertension. The Board also found no medical evidence linking any foot disability, including hammer toes, to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his military service. He also seeks secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to his service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded for further development and examination.