Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea were found to be related to his active service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.,Service connection was also granted for androgenic alopecia (claimed as hair loss), but it was determined that this condition is not causally or etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40% and his right chondromalacia patella and left chondromalacia patella are each rated at 10%. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a higher rating for either condition is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches and lumbar disc disease are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer disease substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and assigned a 10 percent rating for tinnitus, effective July 19, 2010. The Veteran's request for an increased disability rating for his tinnitus is denied as the current rating already reflects the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, low back disability, and neck disability are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA will schedule him for examinations to determine if his conditions began during service or are related to any incident of service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and the Veteran is now entitled to increased ratings for his PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea and his active service, including whether it had its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, cervical disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. These conditions are related to the Veteran's Reserve service duties.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and is remanding the case to further develop evidence related to this condition. The cervical spine issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and aggravation of a pre-existing right arm disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was denied for chronic perivascular dermatitis and hypertension.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during active military service. Therefore, service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent disabling, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate based on his current range of motion and symptoms.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed skin disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his period of active duty from 2004 to 2005. The issue of whether hypertension was permanently worsened by sleep apnea remains pending and will be addressed in a future remand.