Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's retinitis pigmentosa first manifested during service and is related to his active duty, granting service connection.

The Veteran's discogenic disease of the lumbar spine resulted in symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, and limited range of motion. The RO found that a rating higher than 20 percent was not warranted prior to February 16, 2006; a rating of 40 percent from February 16, 2006 to March 9, 2006; and no higher than 40 percent after March 9, 2006. Effective July 6, 2012, the Veteran was granted a separate rating for left leg neurologic complications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that would support her claims.

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disorder is granted, and he is entitled to an increased rating for his right shoulder entrapment syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran has hypertension and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation records. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating or higher for his lumbosacral strain, except for the period of November 13, 2002 to July 2, 2003 when he was granted a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA spine examination and consideration of functional loss due to flare-ups. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD or any other condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a separate ratable neurologic condition, specifically bladder impairment, related to his service-connected low back disability and denied the claim for a separate disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have confirmed service in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and leiomyosarcoma are not related to his military service, including any alleged herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his service-connected cervical myositis and bulging disc, thoracic discogenic disease and lumbosacral bulging disc, neurodermatitis, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (previously an unspecified skin condition of the bilateral calves and forearms), obstructive sleep apnea, and residuals of a left ankle fracture. The Veteran's cervical myositis and bulging disc, thoracic discogenic disease and lumbosacral bulging disc are granted with initial ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary embolism is a result of disease or injury incurred in service, and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending as it was not fully adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a sleep apnea examination, and scheduling an appropriate back disability and right thigh nerve examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and the etiology of his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected depression and PTSD, and an opinion on whether his sleep apnea is caused or worsened by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum to a VA examination and consideration of all relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees prior to October 31, 2012, and by forward flexion of 30 degrees or less thereafter. The RO granted a 20 percent rating for this disability as of October 30, 2001.