Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for a rating of 30 percent for PTSD with a mood disorder, effective April 11, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran timely filed an appeal regarding his initial 10 percent rating for PTSD and established service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to GERD and hiatal hernia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 11, 2008 for TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable solely at that time.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 10 percent from November 8, 2008 to November 9, 2010. Beginning on November 10, 2010, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory and sinus conditions are not related to his in-service nasal fracture, and service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a sleep disorder, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU prior to March 11, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine his correct period of active duty service, obtain missing service treatment records, and provide an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between neurological abnormalities and his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA and COPD are not related to his military service, including any exposure to asbestos. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and set the effective date at July 30, 2003.

The Veteran's breathing disorder, including COPD, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea, was not shown to be related to service or exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the most likely cause of his respiratory conditions is tobacco use.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service. The Veteran's complaints were not supported by objective medical findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of his PTSD, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, as well as a readjudication of his increased rating claims (lumbosacral strain) and TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand and back disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are less likely caused by in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is as likely as not due to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder characterized as psychoneurosis and anxiety, but reopened it based on newly submitted medical evidence indicating current diagnoses related to service. However, the Board concluded that there was no current hearing loss by VA standards, no established link between any diagnosed conditions and service, and thus denied all claims.