Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected rhinitis disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his lower back condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been raised.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and lumbosacral strain are not service-connected, but his lumbosacral strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of certain evidence, including VA treatment records and a VA examination report. The issue remains whether he is entitled to service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to his TMJ disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was granted. For the period prior to June 10, 2010, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disease with L4-L5 disc protrusion and radiculopathy was rated as 10 percent disabling; from June 10, 2010, it is rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment effective June 26, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea disability is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disorder, specifically obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the submission of additional evidence and the need for AOJ review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are related to service, with tinnitus being linked to noise exposure during active duty and sleep apnea being linked to his service-connected depressive disorder. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right hand and low back disabilities present, as well as whether they began during or are causally related to service. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service injuries will be considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and Adie's tonic syndrome of the right eye are granted. The dental disorder claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for compensation purposes. A TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and hypertrophic gastritis.

The Veteran's claim for an educational assistance benefits rate in excess of 60 percent under the post-9/11 GI Bill is denied as her only qualifying active duty service was less than 18 months and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to flattened affect, panic attacks, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and TBI are etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if service connection for cervical/thoracic spine and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities should be granted, as these conditions may impact her TDIU claim. The RO must also obtain VA medical opinions regarding the severity of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's DDD and lumbosacral stenosis are currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.