Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and obstructive sleep apnea prior to a decision by the Board. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently under appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain with narrowing of L5-S1 and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, combine to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's right thigh disability is rated at a combined 60 percent, reflecting moderately severe injury to Muscle Groups XIII, XV, XVI, and XVIII.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches, as well as his attempts to reopen service connection claims for various conditions, are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Reno, Nevada VA RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Oakland, California.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asthma, a left calf strain disability, obstructive sleep apnea, tinea capitis, chlamydial urethritis, and vasectomy. The reasons given were that there was insufficient credible evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and an effective date of October 10, 2007. The claim for a higher rating for his low back disability remains in appellate status as the RO awarded him a 20% rating effective October 10, 2007. The TDIU claim is also under consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lumbar disc disease and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's current back condition is being evaluated to determine if it is related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to establish service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a link between his in-service symptoms and current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and is not shown to be related to his service. The examiner opined that the current left hip disorder is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities.,The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and is not shown to be related to his service. The examiner opined that the current left hip disorder is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with thoracic compression fracture has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's disability rating for chronic lumbosacral back strain was restored to 50 percent effective July 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and his periods of active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had PFB during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service, including his period of INACDUTRA in August 1986. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's back condition was incurred or aggravated during active duty or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling an examination by a VA physician to assess his employability.