Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during active duty, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa and urticaria, but denied them as new and material evidence was not received. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused or aggravated his diagnosed lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a 20 percent rating. The claim for increased tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision. Service connection for low back disability, headaches, knee disabilities, hypertension, and shoulder disabilities have been established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU. The RO has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective October 18, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and arranging for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder remains denied, but TDIU is granted due to combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and headaches were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claims for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, considering his in-service weight gain and lay statements from family members.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease was denied as the evidence did not show that he could not secure and follow substantially gainful employment solely due to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis, left sacroiliac joint and lumbosacral spine, post-traumatic arthritis, right hip joint and sacroiliac joint, right hip flexion, and right hip abduction were denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine or hip joints.,The maximum evaluations available under the applicable rating criteria for these conditions have been assigned.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain (low back disability) is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and tonsillitis (residuals) as the Veteran's conditions were not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, residuals of bilateral hip and knee injuries, sleep apnea, and boils/abscesses in the groin region due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.,For each issue on appeal, the VA examiners found no direct link between the claimed condition and training or service. The Board also noted that post-service records did not show any treatment for these conditions until many years after release from training.

The Veteran's request for a Board hearing via videoconference has been noted. The case is being remanded to schedule this hearing as requested by the Veteran.