Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his active service, including any claimed asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the condition began during or was caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been reopened, but the issue of service connection for low back disorder remains denied.,Service connection was granted for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral toe disorders, sleep apnea, right thigh disorder, and erectile dysfunction remain unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's account of a nasal injury sustained during active duty is credible and supports his claim. The other issues remain pending for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues related to his prostate condition and sleep apnea. The decision also includes a determination that he is eligible for special monthly compensation.

Prior to July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral radiculopathy.,From July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis of L5 and S1.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders, lung issues, head trauma, sleep apnea, headaches, and several other conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, hearing loss of the left ear, and tinnitus of the left ear as these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection is granted based on direct evidence showing a link between current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disorder was granted, and a temporary total rating for PTSD with sleep disorder was assigned based on hospitalization. The initial 30 percent rating for PTSD is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected chronic low back syndrome with intermittent lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The evidence indicates a possible link between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his military service, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred during active duty service and granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and lumbar degenerative disc disease, as well as chondromalacia patella and degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee, all related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The issues of service connection for skin disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's mesenteric panniculitis is rated at 60 percent, and his service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The TDIU issue has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, hyperpituitarism, hypertension, and lumbosacral strain have been denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to May 15, 2013 has also been remanded.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

Service connection for migraine headaches has been granted.,Service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have not been established.