Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is rated at 10 percent, and his right leg sciatica and left leg sciatica are each rated at 20 percent. The effective dates for the ratings are April 11, 2011.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and lumbar spine disorder, as well as increased rating for left thumb scar are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite residuals of the hands and feet has been reopened, and he is now service-connected. His claim for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and skin condition were not service connected. The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship to military service, nor could the secondary relationship be established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms and functional impairment warrant this rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU were granted, with the PTSD claim being based on direct service connection due to combat exposure. The TDIU claim was also granted as the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities likely precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since January 7, 2012. The Board found that the current rating criteria are appropriate in evaluating his disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, but the Veteran does not have posttraumatic stress disorder related to an in-service stressor. The claims are denied as a result.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including cholecystectomy residuals, GERD, depression, knee disabilities, respiratory disorder, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, skin disability, traumatic brain injury residuals other than headaches, headaches, right eye trauma residuals, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and/or asthma with COPD. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA TBI examination and determine if he has any disability manifested by memory loss, including whether it is related to his military service or service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims of service connection for dry eyes and higher evaluations for left ear/bilateral hearing loss are remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have sleep apnea during service or for many years thereafter, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service treatment records and personnel records. A VA examination is also required for the claimed conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical degenerative changes are at least as likely as not related to his military service, warranting service connection. The remaining claims for bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, back condition, and sleep apnea require additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left foot disabilities. The new evidence received includes VA clinical records indicating a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and bilateral knee arthritis, but does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service or service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, which includes chronic lumbosacral strain and multilevel degenerative disc disease, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent due to lack of incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.