Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and chronic rhinitis, as well as for any other necessary development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his active military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not etiologically related to active service or a service-connected disability, and the Board denies the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for chronic neck disability and erectile dysfunction remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's death was due to respiratory failure with underlying causes of pulmonary hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea. The VA is requested to provide an opinion on whether the service-connected chronic glomerulonephritis contributed substantially or materially to his death, if it combined to cause death, or aided in producing death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa was reopened and granted effective May 19, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and a VA examination. The current rating of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and any related radiculopathy. Service connection will also be considered for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is now considered. The issue of whether this condition is related to his service-connected PTSD will be addressed in a future VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his gastrointestinal disability were denied. The Board found that the residuals of duodenal ulcer with a history of gastritis, duodenitis, and hiatal hernia warranted a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, multilevel lumbar spondylosis, and lumbar disc herniation is being remanded due to the need for a new VA spine examination and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is needed prior to appellate consideration of the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left arm and sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a scheduling issue, and the Veteran's attorney requested additional copies of his claims file.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the ankles and knees.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with asthma is rated at 50 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent from October 24, 2007, through February 7, 2010. The rating for the migraine headaches was increased to 30 percent as of February 8, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not resulted in the permanent loss or use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis of knees or hips. Therefore, he is not entitled to financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation effective from December 10, 2007. The initial rating was granted and is not in dispute.