Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Veteran's chronic strain of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative changes of the lumbar vertebrae is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee and right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The rating for the lumbosacral spine remains unchanged from the previous decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA Social and Industrial Survey to determine the combined effect of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to perform sedentary type of work.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of lumbosacral spine spondylolisthesis is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from prior to 2000.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, headaches, bilateral leg disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a current disability for some of these claims.

The Veteran's menstrual disability and low back disability are found to be related to her active duty service. The left knee disability is rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not shown to be otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are rated at the maximum available disability ratings. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing VA examinations to assess the Veteran's sleep apnea and penile pain.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and addressing the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no competent evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability of sleep apnea in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death, which was listed as bilateral pneumonia-mixed bacterial. The appellant argues that the Veteran's back disorder was so debilitating it aided in causing his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including examinations and retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and colon cancer were not found to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability. The claim for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found that the conditions are not related to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The propriety of the reduction in his disability rating for service-connected asthma from 30 percent to noncompensable must also be addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for a cervical spine disability. The claim of service connection for sleep disorder and erectile dysfunction remains pending.