Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hyperkeratosis with hyperhidrosis of the feet was denied effective March 28, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied effective March 28, 2008. The denial was based on a lack of current disability and no in-service injury or aggravation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hyperkeratosis with hyperhidrosis of the feet was denied effective March 28, 2008. The denial was based on a lack of current disability and no in-service injury or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a current right rib disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle DJD are established, but not service connected. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date for sleep apnea and increased rating for left knee disability were denied. The claim for TDIU was not adjudicated as it was not raised in the current appeal period.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for cervical spine DDD is granted, with a current disability rating of 20 percent.,Service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he asserts is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded for further medical clarification regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and both active service and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's OSA is currently rated at 50 percent, and the effective date for service connection remains February 27, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied as there is no evidence of a prior informal or formal claim before this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection based on an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected asthma and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service, and his other specified trauma-related disorder with MDD and a history of PTSD warrants a 30% rating. The issue of TDIU remains denied.

The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and/or history of Kenalog injections.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his refractive error, blepharitis, bilateral cataracts, tinea, and chronic lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that further development is necessary before a decision can be made on these claims.,Service connection for mild venous valvular insufficiency is also at issue. The Veteran seeks service connection based on his diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran's claim for tinea is related to his military service and the Board finds that further examination is necessary to determine if it was aggravated by his diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain with herniated nucleus pulposus is also at issue. The Veteran seeks service connection based on his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied sleep apnea service connection claim. However, the issue of whether he is entitled to service connection for sleep apnea remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, lumbosacral strain, and gum disease have not been established. The claim for a compensable disability rating for onychomycosis prior to August 27, 2012, and an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter has also been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since December 2000. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of back pain requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected disabilities or medications used to treat such disabilities, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and chronic headache disability (migraine) were not incurred during service.,His lumbar spine disability was not shown to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).