Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and therefore remands for further development to obtain a medical opinion on his employability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they related to any incident therein. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The VA examiners' opinions were considered, and they did not find a causal relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his current low back condition.

The appellant is entitled to a higher initial evaluation of 20 percent for C6-7 radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and musculocutaneous neuropathy of the right upper extremity, prior to July 12, 2012.,The appellant is also entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The right hip disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 6, 2013 and at 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's bunions were previously denied in an October 2005 rating decision. The claim was reopened, but new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim.,Service connection for a back disability is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 40 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with stenosis and a herniated disc is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was submitted on August 20, 2008. The Board finds that the earliest effective date allowable under the law is August 20, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar disorder with bulimia nervosa was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but he was in receipt of compensation at the time of his death. The appellant used her personal funds to pay $400.00 towards the Veteran's funeral expenses and is therefore eligible for non-service connected burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain outstanding medical records and to provide her with new VA examinations. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and vision deficiencies of the left eye, both at a noncompensable (zero percent) rating. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated as 30% disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not related to his service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer and/or erectile dysfunction. The rating for his Prostate Cancer remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, is being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his original compensation claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as they do not meet the schedular requirements for such a rating. The appeal is REMANDED for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic skin disorder or degenerative disc disease during service, and the Veteran did not experience continuity of symptomatology after service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.