Sleep apnea decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in, aggravated by or proximately due to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

From July 28, 2008 to June 10, 2009, the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 20 percent.,As of June 10, 2009, the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a clarifying medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service. The issue of an initial rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is remanded due to a need for further examination. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Travel Board hearing at the RO, and further development of his claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including his post-service treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to address the etiology of his sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a neck disability, both secondary to his service-connected fracture of the nose. The Veteran's testimony raised a reasonable possibility of establishing that his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, vision loss, sleep apnea, neck disorder, back/spine disorder, and bronchitis, were denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to symptoms that first manifested during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The RO reduced the Veteran's evaluations for coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, both of which were previously rated at higher levels. The reduction was granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease are granted as both conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 23, 2012. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA spine examination. The case will also be referred for extra-schedular consideration.