Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has been shown to be manifested by constant pain, a burning sensation, tenderness, stiffness, and difficulty walking or standing for prolonged periods. The Board finds that a 20 percent rating most closely approximates the Veteran's lumbar spine limitation of motion and functional impairment during the relevant period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address certain issues. A new VA psychiatric, sleep apnea, and rhinitis examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, memory loss, nephropathy, and heart disease to include coronary artery disease due to their secondary nature to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea remains pending as additional development is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service periods and obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders. The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory conditions, with potential links to Agent Orange exposure, hazardous chemical exposure, and asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's L1 compression fracture and associated DJD of the lumbosacral spine are related to his combat service.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is needed, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his active duty service, including consideration of lay reports of loud snoring.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus between any of his claimed conditions and his military service, including exposure to the Persian Gulf War. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against all claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 25, 1999.

The Board has found that the Veteran had symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea during service and since separation, which tends to show direct service incurrence. Therefore, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and sleep apnea. The case is to be readjudicated after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain warrants a 40 percent rating since May 27, 2015. The neurological symptoms are not service-connected.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease was rated at 40 percent effective December 10, 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU as of April 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder, specifically Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The Veteran and his wife reported symptoms during service that are consistent with current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to December 21, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, the Board also determined that there is no competent medical evidence or opinion linking the current diagnosis of sleep apnea to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing neurological evaluations.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a current psychiatric disability, likely PTSD or another acquired psychiatric condition. Service connection is also established for sleep apnea. The claim for cluster headaches remains pending.