Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, is found to be related to his active service and thus granted service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be caused by his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease. The Board also finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and depression, which is at least as likely as not related to his service or secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not begin during service and is not related to any other in-service condition, including his service-connected chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The opinion provided by the VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that his right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy do not warrant an increased rating.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral artery disease were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's Rosai-Dorfman disease, sinus histiocytosis with enlarged lymph nodes is manifested by swollen lymph nodes that do not cause any functional impairment. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence supports a rating reduction from 100 percent to 0 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by forward flexion limited to 60 degrees at worst and no ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, warrants a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for a left hand condition, bilateral upper extremities condition, or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and TDIU, but denied his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to military service or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hand tremors, and obstructive sleep apnea are not caused by or otherwise etiologically related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his military personnel records and clarify whether all of his Army National Guard service treatment records are in the file. A VA examination is also needed for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his back and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new orthopedic and audiological examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and DJD, right Achilles tendonitis, and left ankle strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was first diagnosed during active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or any other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service or aggravated by his PTSD, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for all issues on appeal, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show current sensorineural hearing loss in either ear. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD and remanded the remaining claims, including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and deep vein thrombosis secondary to service-connected post-concussion syndrome.