Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric medications.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye retinitis pigmentosa was incurred in service, and his current right eye retinal tear, cataracts / nuclear sclerosis, pseudophakia, and dry eye syndrome are presumed to have been aggravated by service. The tinnitus claim is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, low back disability, sleep apnea, skin disability (folliculitis), and right ankle/foot disability have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these determinations based on sound medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, right leg disability, and right foot disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or ankylosis. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of IVDS.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service and whether they are caused by head trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea originated during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and updating the claims file with any relevant medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and assigned a 10 percent rating effective December 10, 2002. The Veteran's DJD of the thumbs and great toes are rated at 10 percent prior to April 18, 2014, and higher than 10 percent as of that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to his active military service, granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service. The issue of whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to herbicide exposure and/or secondary to PTSD remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, bilateral leg disability related to active duty complaints of cramps and pain, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of left thumb fracture with osteoarthritic changes was granted.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected depression or depression medication. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected depression or depression medications was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as all examiners have observed some measurable range of motion without favorable or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to the extension of a temporary total evaluation, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and service connection for sleep apnea. The Board found that the evidence did not support an extension beyond March 31, 2010 due to the Veteran's recovery from his foot surgery by April 1, 2010.,The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of onset within one year of separation and the condition did not meet VA criteria for a compensable rating.