Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at the highest possible under the applicable diagnostic codes based on limitation of motion, with higher ratings requiring ankylosis. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of a 40 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 20 percent since February 7, 2005. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation based on limitation of motion or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral upper extremity disorder need to be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA will provide a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability. The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic condition prior to 2009 in his post-service treatment records, and the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology were not considered until after the January 2010 VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related directly to his service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, and his hyperthyroidism is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a sinus disorder with headaches, fatigue, bowel problems, bilateral hip disorder, or sleep disorder during his service and it did not develop as a result of an undiagnosed illness. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's generalized joint pain is not related to service, and his sleep apnea was not caused by or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 10 percent since March 2009. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating prior to December 12, 2015 and does not meet criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral nerve paralysis or sleep apnea, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not etiologically related to his active military service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current cervical spine, left knee, and left shoulder disorders are related to his service. The VA examiner provided a clear conclusion with a supporting rationale for the GERD and OSA diagnoses.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability in service and concluded that the current lumbosacral spine disability is not related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain missing STRs and to provide a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have rendered him unemployable, thus granting a TDIU. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied in a November 2009 rating decision. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim, thus denying it. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, visual impairment (blindness), and sleep apnea have been denied. The fungal infection of skin and bilateral flatfeet with arthritis are established but not related to service or a service-connected disability.