Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a neck disability were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The Board found that the Veteran did not have sleep apnea or a neck disability due to his service, and his current diagnoses were more likely related to post-service factors.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the sacroiliac joints with residuals of a fracture of the 12th thoracic (T12) vertebra was found to be manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, warranting a 40 percent rating.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder, including OSA, RLS, and RBD. The opinion provided by the VA examiner in July 2014 concluded that these conditions did not have their onset during service or were caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a separate and distinct sleep disorder other than OSA, and thus service connection for such a condition cannot be granted.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a current bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulatory criteria, and thus denied this claim. For the rating period from December 12, 2007, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent schedular rating for hypothyroidism due to service connection. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot given the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for hypothyroidism. SMC at the housebound rate was awarded from October 24, 2008 to January 14, 2013.

The Veteran's sleep disability, including insomnia and sleep apnea, is found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's current residuals of a back injury, diagnosed as mild lumbosacral DJD and DDD, originated during his active service. The Board has determined that the criteria for establishing service connection are met.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, including his service-connected conditions and any potential exposure to environmental factors. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed low back disorders.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability and TDIU prior to July 1, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the period from September 20, 2005, to October 12, 2012, or since October 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis or sleep apnea related to service, including asbestos exposure. The Veteran's conditions are found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding service connection and increased ratings for arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right knee, and glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including obtaining and associating with the claims file all outstanding VA and private treatment records, including any records from the Vet Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral pes planus and ingrown toenails have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had pre-existing conditions in service but did not aggravate them during service.

The Veteran's spine disabilities, specifically degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, are rated at 20 percent prior to July 9, 2009, and 40 percent beginning from that date. The Veteran also has right lower extremity radiculopathy as a neurological manifestation of his spine disability, which is separately rated at 10 percent prior to July 9, 2009, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, headaches, and sleep apnea have been denied as secondary to Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL).,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a mood disorder (claimed as depression) has also been denied as secondary to VHL.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and headaches were previously denied, but new evidence was submitted that raises the possibility of reopening these claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been rated at 50 percent since September 9, 2013. His allergic rhinitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are all found to have their onset in service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorder, diagnosed as retinitis pigmentosa, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.