Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand due to the submission of new evidence and the need for an examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further VA examinations to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was rated as 30 percent disabling from May 3, 2005 through August 22, 2005. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during this period.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent, as his range of motion did not reach the required levels.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, gastrointestinal disorders, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain, myositis with clinical right sided L5, S1 radiculopathy warrants a 40 percent disability rating. A separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The veteran's combined rating of 60 percent due to service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable for the period prior to September 21, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to cold injury in service and denied all claims.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and morbid obesity. The veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's sleep apnea and PTSD were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The VA denied a claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 10 percent. The VA found that the veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional loss.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected low back disability and its impact on his employability.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for his dermatophytosis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine, as there is no medical evidence showing incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by skin, memory loss, or chronic fatigue. The evidence of record is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his spine and skin conditions, including seeking service connection for periodontal disease and increased disability ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of her foot disorders and lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep apnea, navel hernia, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and sarcoidosis are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Board finds that a higher disability rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's current sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service in Southwest Asia.