Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected post-TKR left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating as his only service-connected disability. However, there is no evidence to support service connection for a low back disability secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability has been rated at a 20 percent rating since the grant of service connection in June 2008. The Board finds that his current condition warrants an increased rating to 60 percent, which includes both the schedular and extraschedular ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and left shoulder disability. The claims are based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea began in active service and the Board finds that it is more likely than not that the Veteran had sleep apnea while in active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The issue of service connection for Sleep Apnea is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination related to his psychiatric disorder and herniated nucleus pulposus, and issue an SOC regarding the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion in the VA examination report, and additional development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The left flank scar is rated at 10 percent due to painful symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's post traumatic lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 10, 2009. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and back conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity sciatica are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing retinitis pigmentosa and keratoconus did not become permanently aggravated by service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee disability due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease was rated at 10 percent prior to February 4, 2010 and denied a higher rating. As of February 4, 2010, the disability was rated as 20 percent but still denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for rosacea has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal as there are no specific errors of fact or law to review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and sleep apnea are related to his service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, and the Board grants this claim. The diffuse vascular disease is not separate from his service-connected coronary artery disease, so he cannot get a separate rating for it.

The Veteran's chloracne has been granted service connection, and the issue of service connection for a skin disability other than scalp folliculitis and chloracne is remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and rhinitis. Service connection was denied for a right knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder.