Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service, and denied his claim for service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder issue remains pending as it was not addressed in detail during the remand.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease were rated at 40 percent prior to July 5, 2011. The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset in active service or within one year thereafter and is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence linking the condition to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a grant of service connection on either direct or secondary basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and finds that new and material evidence has been received to support this claim. The Veteran's current diagnosis of OSA is found to have its onset during his active service, and there is sufficient medical opinion linking it to service. Service connection for hypertension is granted as well.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability, as well as its relationship to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the record and a need for clarification of the Veteran's diagnosis. A new examination is required to determine if his current lumbar spine disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective August 7, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent was warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back and right knee disabilities were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and a heart disorder, to include premature arterial ventricular contraction, are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the pertinent period post-service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since March 2014, and the RO denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's sleep apnea associated with diabetes mellitus type II was not found to warrant a higher than 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's right lower extremity circulatory disease, blindness, and sleep apnea are not related to service. The Board finds that these conditions were not manifest in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease were evaluated, with the lumbosacral strain receiving a 20% rating. The decision on TDIU is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo/inner ear disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, hypertension, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea is denied as there is no post-service diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected sinusitis, rhinitis, and a deviated nasal septum. As such, the claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection, and thus the claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's protein deficiency syndrome has been denied. The effective dates for service connection of left knee meniscus tear and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have also been denied as they are not earlier than the date claims were filed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service, and the Board has granted direct service connection for this condition.