Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. He also seeks a TDIU prior to May 19, 2009. The case is being remanded due to the need for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with restrictive lung disease is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 6602 for bronchial asthma.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain private medical records and VA treatment records, as well as any work-related medical records. The appellant's current back disorder is being evaluated for its relation to service or an incident of service.

The Board has determined that the evidence satisfactorily establishes that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to active service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hand disability, right shoulder disability, or sleep apnea that is related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative intervertebral disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral DDD and DJD is granted, with a current disability rating of 20 percent. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as her symptoms do not warrant such an increase.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD and DDD with lumbosacral strain and myositis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The VA compensation and pension (C&P) examiner concluded that the Veteran's current low back pain and symptoms are not due to his service, but rather a result of normal wear and tear on his back given his age.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not shown to be proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected restrictive airway disease. The Board finds no action required for a rating increase as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the current level of disability warrants an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's asthma with sleep apnea is rated at 60 percent disabling, and the appeal for a separate rating for sleep apnea has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and chronic back condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his psychiatric disorders and physical disabilities. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these factors.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 1, 2010. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate as of August 28, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinus disability is related to his service-connected nasal bone fracture with deviated septum.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and is not caused or aggravated by a service connected disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right wrist injury or disease, abdominal pain, or lumbosacral spine disability due to lack of evidence and medical findings.