Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat during his Vietnam service and has been diagnosed with PTSD based on service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disabilities, including increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee and foot condition, depression, asthma, food poisoning, a gunshot wound to the left leg due to the right hand as secondary to bilateral hand condition, anxiety, a bilateral arm condition, a bilateral leg condition, a bilateral hand condition, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, urinary retention, and memory loss. The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is reasonably shown to have been incurred during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective April 7, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review, including scheduling a hearing if requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for his service-connected knee disabilities and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted and rated at 30 percent, effective August 16, 2011. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for acid reflux is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal due to satisfaction with her current 100 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, urticaria (claimed as rash on back, neck, and arms), eye disability (allergic conjunctivitis/dry eyes), and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder/ depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left leg radiculopathy is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability and chronic headache. The original denial of these claims is now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection. The appeals for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and sleep apnea were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to his military service, given the in-service diagnosis of reactive airways disease and lay statements indicating sleep problems during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a low back disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral shoulder disability, leg cramps, and lumbar degenerative spondylosis. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during his second period of active service and is granted service connection on a direct basis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain Social Security Administration records and other issues.