Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc and joint disease status post decompression surgery with residual scar, prior to April 27, 2012, and beginning April 27, 2012.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or any other service-connected condition that would support a grant of service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The Veteran was denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic headaches, recurrent lumbar strain, sciatica of both lower extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits due to need for regular aid and attendance, as his visual field is at least as likely as not less than 5 degrees in each eye.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for clarification and a further VA medical opinion due to recent submissions regarding possible medical nexus between sleep apnea and exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to ensure all due process requirements are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome as a result of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) was granted. The claims for increased rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat during his Vietnam service and has been diagnosed with PTSD based on service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disabilities, including increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee and foot condition, depression, asthma, food poisoning, a gunshot wound to the left leg due to the right hand as secondary to bilateral hand condition, anxiety, a bilateral arm condition, a bilateral leg condition, a bilateral hand condition, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, urinary retention, and memory loss. The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is reasonably shown to have been incurred during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective April 7, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review, including scheduling a hearing if requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for his service-connected knee disabilities and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted and rated at 30 percent, effective August 16, 2011. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for acid reflux is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal due to satisfaction with her current 100 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, urticaria (claimed as rash on back, neck, and arms), eye disability (allergic conjunctivitis/dry eyes), and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder/ depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left leg radiculopathy is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability and chronic headache. The original denial of these claims is now considered on their merits.