Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain in-service mental health records from Evans Army Hospital at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by arthritis and IVDS, was granted a rating of 40 percent effective October 16, 2012. The initial ratings prior to this date were not higher than the assigned rating.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The RO is directed to obtain his treatment records from Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for review of additional evidence submitted by his wife. The claim will be reconsidered and a decision will be made based on this new information.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected back disability, including any instability, painful motion, functional loss due to pain, weakness, excess fatigability, and additional disability during flare-ups. The examiner should also comment on whether muscle spasms have resulted in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA sleep disorders examination to assess whether his current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep disorder and left arm disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA sleep disorders examination to assess whether his current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected nasal trauma. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA sleep study and an opinion on whether his current sleep apnea is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The appellant's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and pilonidal cyst are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder, to include COPD, sleep apnea, bronchitis, and asthma, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to jet fuel.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns about the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders and in-service physical abuse.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective since September 1, 2011. The rating remains unchanged as his disability does not meet criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and neurogenic bladder. The claim for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or a service-connected disability. The claim for neurogenic bladder remains pending due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of VA treatment records. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period from September 23, 2004 to June 27, 2011.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the period from June 28, 2011 forward.