Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for a sleep disorder other than insomnia, to include sleep apnea, is being remanded due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The Board will schedule another sleep study to determine the presence of any such disorders.

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

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the ankles, prostate condition, and skin rash due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to in-service injuries. The thyroid disorder claim remains pending as an addendum opinion is needed from the VA examiner. Service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and separate compensable ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and Shy-Drager syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and determining whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran seeks recognition of his son, A.J.S., as a helpless child for VA benefits due to blindness resulting from retinitis pigmentosa. The case is being remanded to determine when A.J.S. became incapable of self-support by the age of 18.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective July 15, 2011. The condition has caused occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain with IVDS effective June 24, 2009. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right leg is also service connected as secondary to his low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with nerve root impingement, is found to be related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and unverified service information.