Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, and his neurological manifestations of the left and right lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism) is service-connected due to its onset within one year of discharge from active duty. However, the sleep apnea was not incurred during service and is unrelated to any in-service events.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and does not result from his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is considered to have been incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in active service and granted. The claims for increased evaluations of her lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be proximately due to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and he has been granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis. The claims for OSA and ED are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected, and the other conditions have not been linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, effective June 2, 2007. The claim for a higher rating since October 28, 2010 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. For seborrheic dermatitis with rosacea, the current evaluation is 10 percent and no higher due to lack of findings for more severe manifestations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disorder and left knee disability were denied. However, he was granted a separate initial rating of 20 percent for meniscal damage in the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, as well as whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pansinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and sleep apnea. The reopened claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as there is competent and credible lay evidence establishing an in-service onset of this condition.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the December 1978 rating decision denying service connection for retinitis pigmentosa with night blindness and partial ring scotoma. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim is moot as a result.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.