Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The other conditions listed were also found not to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for a bilateral foot disorder but denied the original claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are not credible regarding his symptoms during and since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his sleep apnea, with specific focus on whether it is related to his period of service or due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back disorder was denied as the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea was at least as likely as not incurred during his active service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether or not the Veteran incurred hearing loss and tinnitus during his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at a 60 percent evaluation for the period on and after October 21, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition, as well as whether it is related to his period of service or exposure to environmental hazards. The Veteran also seeks secondary service connection for his obstructive sleep apnea based on his already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating, as his combined disability rating is at least 90 percent and he has been found unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC. The Board finds that VA's VCAA duties to notify and assist the Veteran have been met in this case.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology and date of onset for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral strain are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved. The evidence supports a finding of in-service exposure to noise and resultant current disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and new and material evidence claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's file was reviewed by a VA podiatrist to determine the relationship between his current bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel complaints in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed pulmonary disorders and sleep apnea are not related to her active service, including any potential asbestos exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine spondylosis was incurred coincident with service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a comprehensive employment history assessment. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues regarding a rating in excess of 60 percent for COPD and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, hips, and sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for a cyst of the right wrist has been denied as resolved.