Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is causally related to his active service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including VCAA compliance and a VA examination.

The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is not considered to be proximately caused by VA treatment, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for depression and a lumbosacral herniated nucleus pulposus, as well as service connection for radiculopathy of the lower left and right extremities. The Veteran's claims were remanded to issue statements of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities. Additional medical records and Social Security Administration records are needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has not been shown to be manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for seizure disorder, sleep apnea, and GERD. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the presence and extent of lumbosacral radiculopathy, as his May 2006 VA examination did not reflect this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, effective May 23, 2007. The right knee and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain was initially manifested during his service in Germany and has continued since. The Board finds that the Veteran's condition is a chronic condition that existed continuously since service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include increased evaluations and reopening of service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or relationship to service.

The Veteran was found to be in need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities from December 1, 2002 to May 31, 2006. He is not housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and sleep apnea are not related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury (including post-concussion syndrome and psychiatric disorder) and lumbosacral strain. The claim for residuals of a head injury is granted on the merits, while the claim for lumbosacral strain is remanded to obtain further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limited motion of the ankle. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on functional loss or ankylosis. Service connection was granted for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, chronic fatigue, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appellant's symptoms are attributed to various conditions including obstructive sleep apnea and dermatitis.