Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical opinions regarding his lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, which he contends is related to his right knee disability and an in-service injury. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorder of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder, and for obtaining all pertinent treatment records from the Las Vegas VAMC. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected deviated septum and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on the etiology of the current sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is incurred in service, with resolution of doubt in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's HNP with lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his active duty experience. The back disorder, arthritis of multiple joints, hypertension, and OSA do not have a direct link to his military service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during service and is therefore not related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected recurrent sinusitis, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since December 2, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his symptoms have most nearly approximated flexion limited to 30 degrees or less during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability and associated radiculopathy are not rated higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been denied. The evidence received since previous decisions does not provide a basis to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polyarteritis nodosa, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected, but the Board has ordered a remand to determine if her sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and vernal conjunctivitis have aggravated her sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was denied, and his hypertension claim was not adjudicated as it is not related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for hypertension and heart disorder, but denied the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and arthritis are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.