Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to July 23, 2012. From July 23, 2012 through February 27, 2014, the rating was increased to 40 percent. Since then, no higher ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and sleep apnea are found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy is found to be related to the Veteran's diabetes, which developed after his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes and right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue and obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle ganglion cyst, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and headaches have been granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 10% disability rating for his headaches.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD with insomnia and chronic rhinitis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active military service, including exposure to herbicide agents while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board finds that service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea (as directly related to his active military service) is not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as the disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and there is no evidence linking it to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected posttraumatic tension headaches and associated general anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. The issues of a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal regarding his initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, assigning a 70 percent disability rating effective March 14, 2012. The issue of TDIU was also denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine from August 5, 2015. The other issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying service incidents, and scheduling a VA medical examination to determine if any current back condition, respiratory condition, or skin condition are related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain has been granted, with a 20 percent disability rating effective July 17, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are all service-connected as they were caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation. The issue of an initial compensable rating for hypertension is referred to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and ischemic heart disease claims are being remanded for additional development, including new examinations to address the sufficiency of the current evidence and any potential service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for proper development of his claims, including consideration of a new VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.