Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral DDD with L4 wedging was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back disability are found to be related to his active service, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal. The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including securing SSA disability records and arranging for any necessary additional development. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not have its onset in service and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's diagnosed degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is as likely as not related to his active service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions, or any link between them and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and an increased rating for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a respiratory disorder (COPD), sleep apnea, and GERD. The appeals were decided on the merits as there was no indication of any presumptive exposure to herbicides or other service connection theories.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and have denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine conditions are not service-connected as there is no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year thereafter. The VA examiner opined that the current spine conditions are less likely related to any event or spine condition noted in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including obtaining medical opinions and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The decision also notes that the erectile dysfunction is secondary to medications used to treat a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his in-service dental surgery, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, a lung disorder, and a skin disorder. The evidence received since the October 2005 decision is new but not material to reopen these claims.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, and thus grants the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current DDD and DJD of lumbosacral spine with HNP at L5-S1 and disc bulge at L4-L5 is related to his service-connected left leg disability, thus granting service connection for a back disability.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's varicose veins to his active duty service or any other factor. The Board denies service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date claim is also denied as the original rating decision was final.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for a jaw surgery to treat sleep apnea were denied as VA did not provide prior authorization and the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation.