Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty or in-service. The Veteran was granted service connection for prostate cancer but not for the residuals.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for attorney fees based on increased evaluation of arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain due to withdrawal by the appellant. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder of the scalp was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Guam and clarification on the etiology of his sleep apnea and depression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining terminal treatment records and verifying any herbicide exposure. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for ankylosis, and he retained some range of motion despite significant pain. The issue of entitlement to a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he believes was incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, obesity, skin disability, low back and neck disabilities, Meniere's disease, heart disability, emphysema, PTSD, bronchitis, genitourinary disability, acid peptic disease, eye infections, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and the provision of a new opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea claim.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted. The other issues on appeal are pending further development.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective from October 8, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and mood disorder render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's effective date for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome remains December 20, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's current low back symptoms have been attributed to his nonservice-connected disorders, and his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was either caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, considering the weight gain due to these disorders.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.