Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected left forearm scars has been granted, with the effective date set at May 12, 2009. The earlier effective date claim for the 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected back disability was not met.

The Board has restored a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy from the effective date of the reduction.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to make a decision on the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's current symptoms may be related to his military service, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective February 26, 2008. The rating period from September 17, 2012, forward, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and right ankle disability are each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the etiology of his sleep apnea and arranging for him to undergo an appropriate VA examination for his bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a comprehensive examination of his thoracolumbar spine to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his OSA and GERD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including adjudicating the Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and readjudicating the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no relationship between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is caused by or permanently worsened by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew the claim for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy for multiple joints including the right wrist, right elbow, right shoulder, knees, neck, hands, legs, upper back, and lower back. The claims for service connection for a left wrist condition, right hip condition, and sleep apnea were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, as well as whether any aggravation of the condition by PTSD is due to psychological factors related to in-service gas mask experiences.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations. The claims for GERD, hiatal hernia, and obstructive sleep apnea will be reviewed again with new evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for further examination and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of her claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the claimed sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding complaints or diagnoses related to sleep apnea.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2011 calendar year due to her service-connected lumbosacral strain, which requires a back brace that causes wear and tear on her outer garments.