Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, including acne scarring, rosacea, and rhinophyma, has been rated at 60 percent since the appeal period began. The condition is manifested by flare-ups affecting more than 40 percent of exposed area but does not meet criteria for disfigurement or limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea had its onset during his second period of active military service and is therefore incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain/sprain syndrome, left knee arthritis, and right knee traumatic arthritis were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions warranted an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including contacting the Environmental Protection Agency to determine if the appellant was exposed to environmental toxins other than Agent Orange while stationed at Chanute Air Force Base and McGuire Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error in various rating decisions are mixed, with some issues being granted and others denied. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of conditions including flatfeet/pes planus, neck muscle strain, wrist disorders, arthritis, cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, conjunctivitis, hyperlipidemia, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's right hand and thumb disability are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for chronic lumbosacral strain has been reopened, but the service connection is still denied.

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

The Veteran's spondylolysis with type I spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral joint is rated at 40 percent and has been increased to 60 percent effective May 11, 2010.,The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU as his service-connected disability prevents him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea are not proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected mood disorder. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed respiratory, left hand, thoracic spine, lumbosacral spine, and migraines disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and associated radiculopathy are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered with the new evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The issue of special monthly compensation for loss of use of creative organ is inextricably intertwined with the secondary service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities are service-connected. The PTSD claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the claims of service connection for hypercholesterolemia and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's disability rating for his lumbosacral spine condition was denied, with the exception of a separate 20 percent rating assigned for radiculopathy affecting the left lower extremity. The primary issue pertained to whether he should receive an increased rating for his spinal condition prior to July 23, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for contact dermatitis leading to dyshydrotic eczema and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, esophageal disorder, very weak bones, and back disability. The evidence did not provide a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ear hearing loss or sleep apnea, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.