Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the issues remained unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was incurred in active duty military service. Service connection for cardiomyopathy is remanded due to the need for additional clarification and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to scheduling issues. The case will be returned to the Board after appropriate action.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran has sleep apnea related to service, resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and increased rating for flat feet. The case is REMANDED to allow for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional limitations, with the most recent rating decision increasing the ratings to 20 percent effective September 14, 2011.,Prior to September 14, 2011, the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were rated at 10 percent. As of September 14, 2011, they have been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability, including the compression fracture of L1 and lumbosacral strain, was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to June 11, 2009, or in excess of 40 percent from that date.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be incurred in service and granted. The claim for a higher rating for Type II diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The VA Board found that the appellant's low back disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion but not ankylosis or favorable ankylosis, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not begin during his military service and is not related to any in-service event or condition. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is found to have started during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA medical records, verifying stressors, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, and thus the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left arm and back disabilities. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left arm disability or a back disability that is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and did not result from his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that there is no evidence of an in-service event to or injury that would result in upper airway obstruction leading to the diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be incurred during his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.