Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Veteran's lumbosacral osteoporosis with sacroiliac strain has resulted in severe limitation of motion throughout the period of the claim, warranting a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and further development of the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbosacral strain, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The case is now being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral strain is found to be secondary to his service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The right knee patellar pain rating prior to September 6, 2007, and the right hip trochanteric bursitis are both granted.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and an increased rating greater than 10 percent for hemorrhoids, but the decision is vacated due to new evidence not considered in the original decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with a history of surgeries at L4-5 and L5-S1 levels, is not related to service. The condition was first noted many years after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective October 8, 2010. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is separately rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of sleep apnea and its relationship to service-connected PTSD with cognitive disorder and dissociative episodes. The claim is also inextricably intertwined with the SMC claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea cruris is service connected, and his obstructive sleep apnea may be secondary to obesity resulting from a service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nasal disorder, sleeping disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for higher ratings for hypertension and spindle cell neoplasm with features of dermatofibroma sarcoma protuberans is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, effective December 15, 2011. He is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because she did not attend a VA examination scheduled in accordance with her increased rating claim without good cause.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's adenocarcinoma esophageal was reopened on new evidence and granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 23, 2010. The Board denied a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any neurological disability of the left lower extremity. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbosacral strain prior to January 30, 2014, and for neurological impairment of the left lower extremity are being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, hearing loss, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was not granted any of his requested benefits.

The Veteran's gastroenteritis and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for lower extremity nerve pain, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to undiagnosed illness, is being remanded for additional development and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea was not caused by or is otherwise related to his military service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection are not met and therefore denies the claim.