Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for fatigue and granted service connection for schizophrenia, but denied all other issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as arthritis and myofascial lumbar syndrome, is found to be related to active service.

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 initial evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective May 9, 2011. A separate noncompensable rating for left leg sciatica neuropathy remains in effect.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear damage with dizziness, sinusitis, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's complaints of these conditions during service are supported by the medical records, which show symptoms such as pain, popping, dizziness, and drainage in his ears and nose.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 10 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, and his left shoulder disability is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are considered to be service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea were found to be related to his active service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.,Service connection was also granted for androgenic alopecia (claimed as hair loss), but it was determined that this condition is not causally or etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40% and his right chondromalacia patella and left chondromalacia patella are each rated at 10%. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a higher rating for either condition is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches and lumbar disc disease are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer disease substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and assigned a 10 percent rating for tinnitus, effective July 19, 2010. The Veteran's request for an increased disability rating for his tinnitus is denied as the current rating already reflects the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, low back disability, and neck disability are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA will schedule him for examinations to determine if his conditions began during service or are related to any incident of service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and the Veteran is now entitled to increased ratings for his PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea and his active service, including whether it had its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, cervical disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. These conditions are related to the Veteran's Reserve service duties.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and is remanding the case to further develop evidence related to this condition. The cervical spine issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and aggravation of a pre-existing right arm disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.