Sleep apnea decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss or total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD, but granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to August 9, 2010, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dextroscoliosis of the thoracic spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and skin disability. The Veteran's testimony indicates that his current symptoms may be related to his active duty service in Southwest Asia.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is now service connected for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, muscle contraction headaches, headache disorder (including migraine headaches), elbow and forearm disorder, wrist and hand disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral foot disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not begin during his military service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain was granted, with the effective date being May 29, 2008. The other issues remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back pain is not related to events during service.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Personality Disorder), but only after reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with left sciatica was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's recurrent gastrointestinal disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, hypertension, and prostate disorder were initially manifested during active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability and a higher initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, thus the issues are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected disability. The abdominal scars are rated at 10 percent due to pain but no additional functional limitations. The residuals of multiple herniorrhaphies and malrotation repair with adhesions and abdominal pain warrant a 30 percent rating. The left wrist disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.