Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral strain with traumatic arthritis was granted, but the criteria for a higher rating are not met. The effective date of the total disability rating based on individual unemployability is set at July 19, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current sleep disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not considered to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his in-service injury and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with soft-tissue damage.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current low back disability and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was withdrawn. The bilateral pes planus issue resulted in a finding of entitlement to a 30 percent evaluation, but not higher. The effective date for service connection of the left ankle disability was determined to be October 8, 1996.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and right hip conditions are not secondary to his service-connected right knee condition, and thus denied these claims. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension, hemorrhoids, and hiatal hernia were granted service connection with initial noncompensable ratings. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, by themselves, do not render him unemployable. His combined disability rating is 70 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a low back condition during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 22, 2009 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The current rating of 20 percent is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as failure to establish a causal relationship between his claimed conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new compensation and pension examination.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disability, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD. The Veteran's left ankle disability is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its clinical onset during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 26, 2009. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been reopened but remains denied. The claim for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD was not granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the appellant's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a bilateral hand/wrist disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome and/or arthritis. The appellant will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's accrued benefits claim, finding that the Veteran had pending claims for increased disability rating and service connection for bilateral leg disabilities and depression as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain at the time of his death.