Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists and sleep apnea are being remanded due to procedural issues, including a lack of copies of relevant documents in his file.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain was rated at 20 percent from May 28, 2005, and the Board denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the Veteran receives worker's compensation benefits. The TDIU portion of his claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided in connection with this appeal are not adequate for resolution of these claims and therefore, a new remand is required to ensure the Veteran is accorded adequate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was withdrawn. The Board also found that no chronic respiratory disability was incurred in service and is not related to the Veteran's current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, right and left knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, post-phlebitic syndrome (right and left lower extremities), skin disorder, and sleep apnea, all presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. The decision did not assign a rating or provide an effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, other than PTSD, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea. The VA examiner found the condition unrelated to service, but noted that the Veteran had symptoms since service and provided continuity of symptomatology. The Board finds this inadequate and requests an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including providing adequate notice on secondary service connection and obtaining additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports regarding whether service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylolysis of L-5 and determining whether he is unemployable due to this disability. The case will also be reviewed in light of any new evidence obtained.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his military service, including injuries sustained from parachuting duties.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his military service and is therefore granted as service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, claimed as sleep apnea, and his right knee disorder were denied. The August 2007 rating decision denying the right knee disorder is final.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a left shoulder injury and lumbosacral spine disorder, finding no evidence to support these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus.

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