Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of his claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral spine strain and traumatic brain injury prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded both issues for additional development due to missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for non-service connected pension prior to March 2011 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of 'permanently and totally disabled' due to his disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of permanent total disability, particularly given the Veteran's age and employment status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with spinal stenosis, is service-connected as it had its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and a skin disorder of the hands and feet have all been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, severe allergic rhinitis, low back strain, chorioretinal scar of both eyes (previously characterized as healed central serous retinopathy of the left eye with xanthelasma), tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss, did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation before May 4, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The initial disability ratings for his thoracolumbosacral and cervical spine strains are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence. The primary issue is whether his current sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA medical opinions provided, and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, claimed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The case is being remanded due to new evidence and additional development needed.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury, including his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome require additional development due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm tendonitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of compression fracture, T12-L1 with lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease are currently rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination of the right knee, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's radiculopathy is associated with his service-connected cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis. His peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not related to his service or any aspect thereof, including his service-connected spinal conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is not alcohol-related. The Board found that his use of pain medication for service-connected disabilities contributed to his liver failure and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The remaining issues of prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.