Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 16, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are the primary reason for his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's low back pain and sleep apnea are related to his service.,A higher initial evaluation for PTSD is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's disability did not warrant a 40% evaluation as of July 1, 2007 and restored part of his award to a 20% rating effective July 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine strain is causally related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disorder in service or since filing the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with scoliosis was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on all issues listed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, left ear hearing loss, and low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not related to his active military service, including through exposure to ionizing radiation. The cause of death was attributed to interstitial fibrosis, lymphangitic sarcomatosis, and angiosarcoma of the scalp.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and consideration.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a chronic lumbosacral spine disorder, including injury residuals and degenerative disc disease. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date, increased rating, and service connection are denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder, do not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU as they are rated at 50% and 30%, respectively. The combined rating is 80%. However, he has been unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lower back strain with degenerative changes has been withdrawn. The case of service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a temporary total evaluation due to lack of objective medical evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with lumbar disc disease was previously rated at 20 percent prior to March 18, 2005 and is now rated at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the current rating of 40 percent is appropriate based on the evidence showing significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of lumbosacral spine have been rated at 10% since June 9, 2008. The RO found that the disability warranted a compensable rating based on moderate effects on daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings, finding that his claimed conditions were not established as incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability determination.

The Board has reopened the claim for a low back disorder, but denied the claims for neurocardiogenic syndrome and presyncope as well as sleep apnea.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not found to be related to service or any service-connected condition.