Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a comprehensive examination, including Gulf War and psychiatric evaluations. The appeal will be re-adjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 19, 2015 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain prior to March 19, 2015 is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disc disease and right knee degenerative joint disease are rated at 40 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is found to be caused by his service-connected residuals of multiple herniorrhaphies and malrotation repair. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's sleep problems are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD rating, and TDIU are currently under review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, but denied the remaining claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, a bilateral hand disability, and back disability. The Board found that while the Veteran had these conditions, there was no evidence to support their direct relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including DDD and thoracolumbar spine disorder are not found to be caused or aggravated by the conditions that were compensated under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 'as if' service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on the baseline severity level of sleep apnea disability prior to any aggravation by PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional information or authorization for these records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lower back disorder was denied by the Board, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine in excess of 30 degrees or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS during any 12-month period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is denied. The current 40 percent rating from July 17, 2015, remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, but the initial ratings assigned are less than what he seeks.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and hypertension as secondary to service-connected psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims are remanded for additional development regarding the relationship between his hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's eczema is found to have had its onset in service, and the Board finds that service connection for eczema is warranted. The claim for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 30, 2003.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and found that there is no current evidence showing residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient medical evidence.