Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is not shown to be secondary to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Korea and his reported sleep apnea symptoms. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep apnea disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and shortness of breath were denied. The claim for musculoskeletal chest pain is pending due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether it is related to service and caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected PTSD, has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of her lumbosacral spine disability and associated radiculopathy. The issue of whether a higher schedular rating may be assigned must still be considered on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of identification of an available VA medical facility for his service-connected bronchial asthma and other conditions. The case will be readjudicated based on this information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and to determine any functional limitations due to pain or medication.

The Veteran's diabetes, sleep apnea, and amputation of the left index finger were all incurred during his active military service. Therefore, he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his current disability levels.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for a separate initial compensable rating for a right thigh scar due to surgery for myxoid liposarcoma is denied as the extra-schedular 100 percent rating assigned for myxoid liposarcoma under Diagnostic Code 5313 has compensated the Veteran for pain and other functional impairment resulting from the nonhealing wound on his right thigh throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shortness of breath, asthma, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's asthma, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the other conditions listed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, skin disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and leg stents are denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his service in Guam. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for type II diabetes mellitus from January 13, 2010 is granted and set at 20 percent. The claims for service connection for necrobiosis of the feet, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected fibromyositis of the lumbosacral paravertebral muscles with overlapping degenerative disc disease, left arm scar, and residuals of fracture of the right middle finger. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied on the merits.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since February 12, 2015. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are met as of September 9, 2010.