Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability has not resulted in ankylosis, neurological impairments, or muscle spasms severe enough to affect his gait or spinal contour. His condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all sleep disorders present during the period of the claim, including whether there is a 50 percent or better probability that any such disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service or was caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability that is related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, worsened due to increased BMI after service, and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for OSA is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral strain with traumatic arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, which is required for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, but the issues of service connection for hyperlipidemia, ear disorder to include vertigo, acquired psychiatric disorder to include a compulsive disorder and depression have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to military service or caused by his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's GERD and left ear hearing loss have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been established for sleep apnea. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether erectile dysfunction is related to active service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and sinusitis. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to her service-connected narcolepsy, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an updated medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to an equipment malfunction during a prior hearing, and the Veteran is requested to provide a new travel board hearing.

The Veteran's current diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is related to his third period of active service, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that he incurred this condition during his deployment in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board via video conference at the RO. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process and will be handled expeditiously.

The Veteran's back disability is service-connected, and he was granted a compensable initial evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss prior to November 4, 2010. From that date forward, the Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's eczema, a skin disease, is found to be related to service and granted service connection. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for sleep apnea (a sleep disability) is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has not been found to warrant a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for any of the higher ratings under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, as well as right hand and arm disability. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of a relationship between his in-service injuries and current conditions.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss, heart disease, hypertension, vertigo, or lung disease manifested during active duty service or in the year after separation from active duty service; or is related to exposure to radiation during service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical clarification regarding her service-connected lumbosacral strain and its relationship to her degenerative disc disease. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.