Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbosacral strain existed prior to service and were not aggravated therein. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the remand was not fully complied with and additional development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current myofascial lumbosacral syndrome is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The prostate disability issue was remanded due to a misfiled document in the service treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, status post laminectomy with fusion, is rated at 50 percent effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since August 17, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran has experienced very frequent and prolonged migraine headaches that have been completely prostrating and likely productive of severe economic inadaptability throughout the entire appellate period.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus remains denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), hypertension, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current joint disorder, and any other claimed conditions are not shown to be related to active service or service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's disabilities are permanent and total in nature, meeting the criteria for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea with intermittent insomnia first manifested during active service and continues to this day. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the merits of the reopened claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected residuals of TMJ repair. The Board has determined that an additional VA medical opinion is necessary to address the currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and whether it was caused or aggravated by the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues are whether he should receive a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and his lumbosacral spine condition remains at a 20% rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of service and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive sleep apnea is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its clinical onset during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are all granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma is being remanded due to the need to obtain a CPAP titration study and determine if he has been prescribed a CPAP machine.

The VA determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his period of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.