Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for COPD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, or head injury. The Veteran is entitled to increased evaluations for focal pain syndrome with severe migraine headaches and post-traumatic scar of the left forehead.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and TBI were denied. Service connection was granted for cervical spine disability with a 10% rating effective July 16, 2009, and lumbar spine disability with a 10% rating prior to November 28, 2011, and a 20% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to symptoms he experienced in service, and the Board finds that service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease, herniated disc L5-S1 with chronic low back pain and right side lumbosacral facet joint pain is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including blurred vision, night sweats, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depression and anxiety), residuals of frostbite of the ears, and low back disorder. The decision is based on a finding that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity sciatica is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia claims for further development, including obtaining clarifying medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to his active duty service, specifically from January 2007 to June 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and right knee disability are related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest in service and is not etiologically related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder. The Board found that there is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has sleep apnea, which had its onset during his last period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim was partially granted, with some issues receiving a higher rating and others remaining at the current level. The service connection for certain conditions is established, but not all claims were successful.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining new examinations and opinions for sleep apnea, hypertension, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep disorder and service-connected chronic sinusitis.