Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 6, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee, cervical spine, and lumbosacral spine disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, a kidney disorder, and anemia. The preponderance of evidence does not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran's allergy disorder to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the VA Director of Compensation Service for adjudication of a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The Veteran is notified that failure to complete and return the requested TDIU claim form will result in abandonment of the claim per 38 C.F.R. § 3.158.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional loss or ankylosis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. The current evaluation is 40 percent disabling, effective April 11, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to her service-connected right knee realignment with patellofemoral pain, and thus grants service connection for chronic lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative changes and left sided radiculopathy as secondary to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely suffered from sleep apnea symptoms during service and was diagnosed with post-service. The Board finds that the Veteran's condition had its onset in service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) began during her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and securing outstanding records. The Veteran's son's eligibility as a helpless child of the Veteran is being reconsidered, while his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea will be evaluated based on whether it is at least as likely as not that his already service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 2010, reflecting the severity of his symptoms and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left varicocele has been withdrawn. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip DJD and lumbosacral spine DJD, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The claim for TDIU remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for epilepsy was denied, his left shoulder disability service connection claim was not granted, and he was granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is as likely as not secondary to his service-connected rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.