Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is causally related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not having its onset during active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or any service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with compression fracture and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 15, 2011. His radiculopathy of the right lower extremity involving the femoral nerve is also rated at 10 percent, effective September 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for rosacea was denied. The Board found that the manifestations of her rosacea did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the percentage of body or exposed areas affected, and the need for intermittent systemic therapy.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for various joint disorders. The Board found no evidence of exceptional patterns of hearing impairment and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 40 percent for his low back disability prior to January 25, 2013, but no higher. Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing at the Togus, Maine RO. The issues include increased evaluations for left wrist fracture and gastritis, service connection claims for sleep apnea, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, hypertension, migraines, and weight gain.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right thumb. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and a review of her service-connected disabilities, as well as her non-service-connected conditions. The case will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for pharyngitis and enlarged tonsils due to aggravation, but denied service connection for sinusitis, sleep apnea, and vision problems secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychotic disability, sleep apnea, and depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a psychotic disability or evidence linking it to military service. For sleep apnea, the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to military service. For depressive disorder, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating but were sufficient to deny an increased evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service and is not proximately caused by or aggravated (permanently worsened in severity) by his service-connected anxiety disorder and/or degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Veteran's disability ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-L5, with lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes are found to be appropriate under the schedular criteria. The Board has determined that referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current back disorder found to be present, including whether it is at least as likely as not attributable to the Veteran's time on active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion and further development of the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his renal cell carcinoma and dysthymia, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since August 1, 2009.