Sleep apnea Board decisions

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The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability and a higher initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, thus the issues are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

The Veteran's thoracolumbosacral strain has not been manifested by forward thoracolumbar flexion less than 61 degrees; or, by a combined range of thoracolumbar motion less than 121 degrees; or by muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for higher evaluation is denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of thyroid cancer and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the conditions are not related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Specifically, the January 2015 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's thyroid cancer is not caused by her military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and the criteria for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical strain, left wrist strain, and hemorrhoids were not met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability and remanded other issues including sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent from February 7, 2008, to June 6, 2012. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, hepatitis B, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's statements regarding symptom onset will be considered along with any new evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed sleep apnea. Additionally, he must be provided with a statement of the case regarding initial increased ratings for cluster headaches, chronic lumbar strain, and bilateral ankle tendonitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, and for obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and finds that new evidence submitted raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred during or within one year following his military service. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion to be highly probative and against the Veteran's claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service connected, but secondary to his service-connected GAD. Meningitis and sarcoidosis are not found to be related to service.