Sleep apnea decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, lung disorder, headaches, bilateral knee disorder (arthritis), fatigue, dizziness, and muscle aches. The Board found that these conditions are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise, supporting a finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disability is etiologically related to service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether he is in need of higher level care. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease was denied as his disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 16, 2012.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a sleep disorder, and thus service connection for a sleep disorder, to include insomnia and sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected lumbar osteoarthritis, is denied. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain was denied, and the claim for PTSD remained pending. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings, effective dates, and TDIU for his service-connected low back strain and lumbosacral degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and clarify the basis of the grant of Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability and arthritis did not have its onset during service, nor is there evidence of a relationship between his in-service injury and his current conditions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent since April 19, 2007. The Board found that the disability did not more nearly approximate severe incomplete paralysis of the posterior tibial nerve and denied a higher initial rating.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea in October 2007, finding no clinical evidence of the condition during service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, tinea pedis of the right and left feet, and sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish these conditions as incurred or aggravated during active duty or Reserve service.,There are no indications in the record that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his already service-connected deviated septum. The Board has decided that a hearing should be scheduled and the case remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and an addendum opinion regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as his current condition is related to his active service.