Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and employment information. The VA will also schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection, and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral eye condition, including retinitis pigmentosa, amblyopia or nystagmus, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5237-5243. The other conditions have their respective current ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and spondylitic changes of the lumbosacral spine have been granted higher initial ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's fatigue, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), and hair loss are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, which is considered a direct result of his active military service.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran has requested such a hearing in connection with his claims of service connection for spondylosis, lumbosacral spine; asbestosis; silicosis; sleep apnea, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notification and development under the VCAA, and because additional workers' compensation records are needed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a status/post fracture of the right hand was denied as there was no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was also denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology and the absence of post-service diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings for her service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and asthma, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, including her pre-existing spinal condition, was aggravated by service. The initial rating for this disability remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar disc disease prior to September 23, 2002 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5293.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 60 percent, effective February 17, 1999. The Veteran also received a temporary total rating for convalescence following cervical spine surgery from April 12, 2005 to May 2005.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim prior to July 9, 1997 remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral laminectomy, fusion, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis as they are related to active military service.,Service connection was also granted for hypertension. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is considered secondary to his newly service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO.