Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all five issues related to foot fungus, chronic headaches, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), skin disorder of the neck, and dizzy spells and imbalance has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran needs additional examinations and remands for his claims due to inadequate examination reports in the previous rating decisions. The appeals are now REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure and sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, with the exception of hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran did not have sleep apnea based on his lack of diagnosis in the medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular requirement for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be service-connected. The claim for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence that it began in service or is related to service. The issue of a compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during service and is therefore granted. The low back and gastroesophageal reflux disease claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her hypertension and PCOS did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria. The Board also found no evidence of a back disorder or heart disorder incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent initial rating. The other issues have not been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that could be related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chondrosarcoma, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected fibroma removal, has been remanded due to a conflict in medical opinions regarding the potential origins of the cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and consideration of a TDIU issue that is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression. The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, depression, lumbosacral strain with arthritis, TDIU, and non-service-connected pension were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a combined effects medical opinion to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following gainful employment. The claim will also be reviewed for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use of both hands, blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or deep partial thickness burns, full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is reasonably shown to have been caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain all pertinent treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his claimed disabilities. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2008 and July 2008 rating decisions denying service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left knee PFS and tension headaches were also denied.