Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not a result of disease or injury incurred during his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and related conditions have been granted higher initial disability ratings, with a total rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including the retrieval of recent outpatient records and authorization to obtain private treatment records. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation prior to October 23, 2012 was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and an increased disability rating for PTSD prior to a decision being made.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that he has a current psychiatric condition related to his active service. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Veteran also has hypertension and other conditions which are being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral and cervical strain, and the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his personnel records and determining probable exposure to hazardous noise during service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with L4 degenerative disc disease does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for spinal stenosis with degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's low back disability has been manifested by muscle spasm and pain, but not to the extent that it warrants a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a ratable bilateral hearing loss disability due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The Board also found that his sleep apnea did not originate during his active military service and is unrelated to his service.

The appellant's combined rating is 70 percent with one disabilities rated at 50 percent. The objective and credible medical and other evidence of record preponderates against a finding that the appellant is permanently and totally disabled due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and PTSD are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to address his claims of service connection for sleep apnea and dermatitis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbosacral strain, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain with post-operative herniated disc repair at L5-7 and degenerative disc disease was denied. The current rating is 20 percent, effective from September 23, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's service-connected Bell's palsy aggravated his nonservice-connected obstructive sleep apnea.