Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as there was no evidence of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to their impact on his ability to walk and use assistive devices.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and discussion of functional loss.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during his period of service, and he is granted service connection.,For both the right and left knee chondromalacia disabilities, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and employment background.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disk disease lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as any additional objective neurological abnormalities. The issue will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed on both the sleep apnea and coronary artery disease claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted, and an initial disability rating of 70 percent was assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and lordosis straightening originated during active service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim remains pending as it is unclear whether service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for migraines and chronic fatigue syndrome or SEID. The other claims were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV and OSA, each claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will be provided VCAA notice regarding these claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be a result of his service-connected PTSD, and thus granted as secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), and chest pain. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during service or were caused by any illness or event during service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to the Veteran's military service. The rating for TBI with post-concussive headaches remains unchanged.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis at L4-5 are related to his active duty service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of a connection.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for DJD of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since service separation and meeting the criteria for a chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a).