Sleep apnea Board decisions

Service connection is granted for a psychiatric disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and sleep apnea. A 50% disability rating is assigned for migraine headaches.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it includes the newly-granted service-connected condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated as noncompensable and later granted a 10 percent rating effective July 3, 2012. The Board found that the disability warranted a higher rating from July 3, 2012.

The claims for allergic rhinitis, tinea pedis, sleep apnea, and a right ankle injury were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for gastrointestinal disorder, lung condition, and right great toe injury were reopened.,Service connection for PTSD and depression (inclusive) was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The issues of increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and associated neurologic impairment are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, thus denying her claims for increased ratings. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 10 percent rating for service-connected Lyme disease was upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition and sleep apnea are not related to his military service, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is likely secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea have not been found to warrant higher initial ratings during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension and lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and hip disabilities are not related to his active military service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right elbow and knee conditions, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, and erectile dysfunction, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active military service. The VA examiners provided opinions indicating these conditions are less likely related to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion from a sleep specialist/physician specializing in sleep disorders/OSA to address whether the Veteran's OSA is related to service or his service-connected psychiatric disorder. Additional private and VA treatment records are also requested.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period prior to July 15, 2009, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warranted a 40% evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions are not related to his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore, denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's current back disability was not manifest during active service or within the first post-service year, and is not shown to be otherwise related to his active service. The Board finds no evidence connecting his current back disability with activities he engaged in during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further evaluation, including from VA facilities and private providers. The Veteran's claims of chemical exposure in service are being considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and consideration of extraschedular considerations due to significant functional impairment not reflected in current rating criteria.