Sleep apnea decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete development, specifically the need for an updated VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The case is now pending further review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the current level of disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating, as he does not require insulin and restricted diet.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

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's back disability is rated at 40 percent since the date of his claim, effective from November 13, 2012. The issue of TDIU prior to May 29, 2012 has been referred for further action.

The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's status-post lumbosacral strain with spondylosis warrants a 40 percent rating from September 7, 2010 onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected adenocarcinoma of the lung, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his military service and/or his service-connected left deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and cervical spine disorder are attributable to service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since September 20, 2005. The rating is based on the current severity of his disability without considering any past medical history or symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and respiratory/pulmonary disorder did not have their onset in service or were otherwise related to service. The residuals of a tonsillectomy are also not considered as having been caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating on an extraschedular basis for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The current effective date is October 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea must be remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and attempting to locate a specific VA form from 1992.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic multisymptom illness manifested by myalgia is service-connected, resolving all doubts in her favor.

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's service connection for Barrett's mucosa and hernias as secondary to Barrett's mucosa was granted, but the initial rating assigned for diabetic retinopathy is noncompensable.,TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is granted from January 12, 2010.