Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma and cataracts, high cholesterol, and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for asbestosis, COPD, spurring of cervical and lumbar spine (back disorder), sleep apnea, tonsil disorder, bilateral knee arthritis with total knee replacement, right foot Achilles tendon (right foot disorder), and left foot disorder are addressed below.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied. The VA examinations did not support higher ratings based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbosacral strain, resulting in a denial.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee anterior cruciate ligament and medial and lateral meniscus tears, chondromalacia, and arthritis; lumbosacral strain/strain and disc protrusion; and paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to active service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 40 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability, including spondylolisthesis L5-S1 and disc bulging at L3-L4 and L4-L5, was denied. The Board found that the current evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether the current sleep disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbosacrum was previously denied, and new evidence does not reopen this claim. The Veteran is also not entitled to SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status as he has no current service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD). The decision found that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board found no diagnosis of sleep apnea and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is incurred in service, as it can be reasonably disassociated with his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for completion of several directives, including determining the Veteran's current address and clarifying his representation preferences. The case is now pending further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate records and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the cause of the Veteran's death is related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development, including medical opinions on the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether the Veteran's degenerative disc disease is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and determining if he is entitled to a TDIU or extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was rated at 40 percent effective April 27, 2009. The rating is based on the current manifestations of the disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, schedule him for examinations to evaluate his current low back and right heel disabilities, and provide an SOC on the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and a compensable rating for a right elbow disability.