Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 was granted. The condition is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, restrictive lung disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are not related to his service or any service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disability, restrictive lung disability, and obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities, headaches, stomach disability, and sleep apnea due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is attributable to service and granted service connection for this condition. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for enlarged left thyroid, gout, FSG, and vertigo are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and a left cerebellar vascular lesion, both claimed as due to medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues with the most recent VA examination and a need to address radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a right wrist disorder of sclerosis of the scaphoid, bilateral foot disorders (DJD and hallux rigidus), obstructive sleep apnea, and IBS as due to a qualifying chronic disability.,Reasoning: The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms during service and has current diagnoses related to these conditions. The criteria for presumptive service connection are met.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 50% since February 6, 2015.,An earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU prior to August 31, 2010 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and a sleep disability, finding no evidence of such conditions related to the Veteran's active duty service or due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 60 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with COPD is warranted from July 21, 2011. Prior to this date, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are not related to service, and thus denied claims for service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is also rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The initial rating for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability has been denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and remanded the issue of TDIU due to its inextricability with the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective July 10, 2013. Service connection for the back condition and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Sleep Apnea, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for Hypertension. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a sleep apnea disability, but the case must be remanded to obtain an updated VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed fibromyalgia.