Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not granted, but his PTSD remains service-connected and rated at 70 percent. The decision is mixed as it grants one condition (PTSD) while denying the other (sleep apnea).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities was granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, with no other compensable evaluations assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and PAN, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his active duty service and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine if his orthopedic appliances cause wear or tear on his clothing, as he claims they do.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty service. Therefore, service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral sprain with referred pain to the hips is currently rated at 40 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected bilateral deviated nasal septum and if so, whether it was caused or aggravated by that condition.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed injury in service. The Veteran is also granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chloracne was denied. The VA examiner found that the current skin condition, including Rosacea, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition and sleep apnea were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For the lumbosacral spine, his condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. For the left knee, he was rated at 10 percent prior to November 22, 2010, but no higher based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining private records for the Veteran's hearing loss and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his hypertension and back/neck disorders are related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered to have begun during his military service and has continued since then. The Board therefore grants service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory conditions and mild granulomatous disease.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and GERD is found not related to the service-connected conditions. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2009.