Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding his in-service sinus problems and their relation to his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was granted, and service connection for leishmaniasis of the ears was established. The reduction in rating from 40 to 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is being restored.

The case is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service, including exposure in the Gulf War theater. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left ankle disability and lumbosacral strain, as well as entitlement to a compensable rating for GERD, are pending.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary due to the need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange, and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rosacea is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current condition is not linked to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea did not represent a progression of symptoms from service, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition originated during his military service. The claim of service connection for night sweats is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal regarding his claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is currently before the Board. The appeal has been dismissed as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and left upper extremity neurological disability. The appeals were dismissed due to lack of merit.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as per VA regulations. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and therefore denies the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to active duty service.

The Board found that the evidence received since the November 2005 rating decision is not new and material, and does not serve to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a disability claimed as left leg pain. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than COPD, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The appeal will now be considered on its merits.