Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, but his sleep apnea claim for service connection was denied. The decision is mixed as it granted one issue and denied another.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected conditions warranted higher evaluations prior to July 8, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and sleep disorders are not related to service, while his right ankle and left elbow disabilities were shown during service. However, as these conditions did not manifest for many years after service or are not linked to service, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability due to incomplete development of the record and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizophrenia did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is related to his in-service sleep problems, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service, including asbestos exposure. The Board finds that the claim for service connection for sleep apnea must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, myositis (also claimed as lower back pain), with intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if SSA records are available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has found that the Veteran had symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea during service and since separation, and his testimony and statements from his former spouse support this finding. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these symptoms began during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic sleep apnea and fibromyalgia, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support these claims. The right elbow disorder claim is also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional impairment, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes or neurological abnormalities. The current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional impairment, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes or neurological abnormalities. The current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested ratings or benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is granted as the Board finds that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence related to whether his condition had its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is granted.