Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection claims were decided.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 9, 2014 and at 40 percent from that date. The Veteran's anal fissure with status-post lateral sphincterotomy is currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's service-connected anal fissure has been found to have constant slight or occasional moderate leakage of the rectum and anus, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7332.

The Veteran's cervicitis with dysplasia, status post hysterectomy, is granted service connection. The ratings for her right and left knee disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea as secondary to hypertension, and restless legs syndrome as secondary to hypertension due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current level and severity of the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The issue will be readjudicated after the examination.

The claim for a higher evaluation than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with mechanical back pain and degenerative joint disease is denied. A separate noncompensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran’s low back disability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no in-service event, disease or injury and a nexus between OSA and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of additional evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, a medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected deviated septum and whether his TMJ is related to his military service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain and dismissed the remaining service connection claims due to lack of jurisdiction. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and unclear etiology. The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his peripheral neuropathy, are presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, headaches, depression, and penis disability (ED) due to inadequate development. The claims are being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder, including spina bifida occulta, lumbosacral strain, and multilevel degenerative disc disease with facet arthritis. The cardiac disorder appeal was also denied.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension has been granted. The petitions to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic lumbosacral strain, left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and OSA have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For the right ankle and foot conditions, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran's OSA with Asthma was rated at 30% prior to March 23, 2014 and granted a 50% rating effective from that date.,Since March 23, 2014, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his OSA with Asthma.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for vision problems has been granted. His claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to PTSD is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and gout due to the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including restless leg syndrome and foot disabilities, all of which are alleged to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or due to active duty.