Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, but there is no evidence of a current low back disorder that began during or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes was denied as the evidence did not show that the diabetes required regulation of activities in order to control blood sugar levels.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain with spondylolisthesis and degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to July 22, 2015, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any portion of this period.

The Board has granted service connection for CAD, sleep apnea, right leg disability, left leg disability, and headaches. The effective dates are not specified as the decision is in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbosacral strain was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating prior to April 18, 2017. From that date, she continued to have pain and limited range of motion but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back strain is not related to his active service, and denied service connection for stage II hypothermia. The Veteran's eye disability was also denied as there was no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during service.,Service connection was denied for all issues due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in January 2015.

The Veteran's appeal involves a claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, L2-3, L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1, and mild degenerative sacroiliac joints. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his associated neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and chronic sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are met.

The Veteran's previous occupation as a chiropractor is unsuitable due to his service-connected knee, back, and hip disabilities. The Board finds that additional vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38 is warranted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for low back pain that he believes is caused by his service-connected gunshot wound to the chest. The VA examiner found no direct link between the gunshot wound and the current back condition, but a private chiropractor opined that the gunshot wound may have contributed to the degenerative changes in the spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating and TDIU claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from January 2009 to the present. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to assess his current sleep apnea disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of high cholesterol, hypertension, sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right knee disability, low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral elbow disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran at his hearing. The appeal for service connection on the issue of right hip disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, psycho-physiological insomnia, and circadian rhythm sleep disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's anemia is rated at 30 percent, and her migraine headaches are granted on a secondary basis to her service-connected menorrhagia. The Veteran's hearing loss and diplopia were not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's coronary condition was rated at 60 percent disabling prior to July 28, 2006 and from October 28, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran's COPD, sleep disorder (OSA), and tension headaches were not classified as medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 27, 2014, forward. The TDIU was not granted for the period from July 2, 2010 to February 27, 2014 as the threshold percentage requirements were not met.

PTSD was initially rated at 50% from July 21, 2011 to August 30, 2012. It was then increased to 70% effective August 30, 2012 and further increased to 100% effective November 4, 2015.,Bulimia Nervosa was initially rated at 70% from August 30, 2012. It remained at this rating until the Veteran's PTSD was also rated at 100%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions were not related to his service-connected disabilities or incurred in service.