Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective July 16, 2002. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have onset during active service, is not etiologically related to active service, and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to asthma was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide a VA examination and determine the nature and etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea disability. The Veteran contends that he has had symptoms related to this condition since active service, and there are credible statements from him and others indicating these symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding his left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain with arthropathy, necessitate the need for an automobile to accommodate his mobility limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and other undiagnosed illness-related symptoms, have been denied. The evidence does not support findings of an in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and the initial ratings for left shoulder tendonitis and lumbosacral strain are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's DJD of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 10 percent prior to December 11, 2009 and increased to 20 percent since that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, arranging for appropriate examinations, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service or his service-connected allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinus disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic lumbosacral strain is related to his in-service stressor. The issue of an increased evaluation for chronic lumbosacral strain remains pending, as does the need for statements of the case on secondary service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service symptoms and service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and assigned a disability rating of 50 percent, effective from August 19, 2008. The Veteran's condition requires the use of a CPAP machine.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently evaluated at 40 percent, and the Board denied an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on the merits, determining that his current lumbosacral spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected left ankle condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board has also determined that a 30 percent rating, but no higher, is warranted for his thyroid disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to disease or injury in active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis were denied by the Board.