Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent for the period after September 19, 2017. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected right knee disability did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 15, 2006. The Board found that his other service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and lumbosacral strain, also did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD and low back disability have been granted, but the effective dates are not specified. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected knee and back disabilities, including lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease at L4-L5 with limitation of motion, right knee status post-ligament damage, right knee traumatic mild degenerative arthritis with loss of motion, left knee laxity of the medial collateral ligament, and left knee traumatic osteoarthritis with limitation of motion. The appeal is currently pending due to a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is linked to his reported history of memory loss symptoms and whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has sleep apnea that had its onset during his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As such, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and granted a rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder and peripheral neuropathy disabilities, is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and sleep apnea, finding that there is no current disability associated with these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish their onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Veteran's appeals for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD evaluation, and TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for hypertension is denied. The evidence does not show that it is at least as likely as not related to active service or Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection for a lung disorder (pulmonary disorder) is denied. The evidence does not show that it is at least as likely as not related to active service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of reopening his previously denied obstructive sleep apnea claim has been reopened, but the new evidence received did not meet the criteria to grant service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and examination of the Veteran's service-connected IVDS disability, including range of motion testing. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Board finds that the Veteran's heart or chest pain disorder is not related to service and is not caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability or radiculopathy in the right foot that is related to service. The Veteran's current complaints do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, and therefore remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and degenerative joint disease (DDD) of the cervical spine have all been granted. The claim for sleep apnea has also been granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his eye disorder, right knee disability, sleep apnea, and rash of the stomach and thighs.