Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are not related to service, and thus denied claims for service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is also rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The initial rating for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability has been denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and remanded the issue of TDIU due to its inextricability with the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective July 10, 2013. Service connection for the back condition and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Sleep Apnea, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for Hypertension. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a sleep apnea disability, but the case must be remanded to obtain an updated VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, as well as whether it is related to service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for focal dystonia, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a sleep disorder including sleep apnea, and nosebleeds have been denied. The Veteran has not provided evidence of current disabilities or linked them to service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent from August 9, 2011. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and lumbosacral strain were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for lumbosacral and cervical conditions, which he claims as a back condition. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on whether his current back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his lower back arthritis and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent before March 6, 2007 or in excess of 40 percent beginning March 6, 2007 for his lower back arthritis. He was also found to not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 19, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for microvascular disease, headaches secondary to microvascular disease, degenerative bone loss in the upper and lower jaw bones, and sleep apnea are still pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea. The right hip disability is found to be related to in-service injuries, while the bilateral knee disability is found to be related to in-service activities. Service connection is granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of the case by the AOJ.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request and pending appeal to the Court.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea claim.