Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, which he claims is related to an in-service back injury. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to incomplete records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an examination report and ensuring that all records are considered. The Veteran's claim will be adjudicated again after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbosacral strain with lumbar fracture was denied, and the service connection claim for a right rib disability was also denied. The Board found that there is no current chronic right rib disability and that any right rib pain is related to his spinal condition.

The Board has determined that the claimant's right and left knee disorders, as well as his low back disorder, are at least as likely as not due to repetitive-type injury sustained during service. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, including his right knee and lumbar spine conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are productive of loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As a result, the Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and chondromalacia of the left knee are also being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for trochanter bursitis of the right hip and lumbosacral spine strain, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The decision also addressed a separate issue regarding whether the Veteran's left hip pain is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the terms of a joint motion to remand, which includes fulfilling the Veteran's Privacy Act request and reviewing additional evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral osteoarthritis, and bilateral sciatica of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for a video hearing due to the Veteran's failure to report for his scheduled personal hearing.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence, as well as to address the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and blackouts were not found to be related to service. The Board denied the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc and joint diseases is rated at 40 percent since November 25, 2009. The right anterior chest lesion (Ghon Complex) is currently rated at 20 percent effective September 27, 1991.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea syndrome, cervical spine disorder, and right arm disorder. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened but denied on the merits.