Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea and to obtain relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service records and incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been productive of painful motion, but forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine has been greater than 30 degrees and there has been no ankylosis. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's skin condition, bilateral knee pain, multiple joint pain, sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and found that it was incurred during active duty due to military acoustic trauma. Service connection for rosacea was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and interstitial lung disease are rated at 50 percent, effective December 4, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for DDD of the lumbosacral spine was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. His claim for an increased rating for residuals of a non-displaced fracture of the left foot is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower spine disorder is service connected due to aggravation during service, and his gout of the feet may be secondary to his lower spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back disability was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum available benefit. The claim for service connection for cluster headaches has been granted based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an initial compensable rating for his right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, medical records review, and consideration of staged ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and USPS records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and left lower extremity L5 nerve root change were both rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of his February 2003 claim. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating and a higher rating than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain on and after February 29, 2008 is being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, memory loss, and high cholesterol have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and myositis are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5237. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is also rated at 20 percent. Both conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's stress disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, associated with chronic lumbosacral spine pain and mild degenerative osteophytosis is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for an increased rating was denied.