Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disorder, and defective vision have been denied as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,The Board found no evidence of a current chronic back or left knee disorder related to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service symptoms and grants service connection for this condition. The lumbosacral strain and pes planus issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has denied the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic right shoulder disability, but granted his claim for sleep apnea.,The Veteran was previously denied service connection for his right shoulder disability in 2006. The new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the service connection for sleep apnea, and as a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims, including for entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 4, 2007 and at 40 percent beginning from that date. His irritable bowel syndrome warrants a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's bilateral shin splints do not meet the criteria for any compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo is related to acoustic trauma in active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for sleep apnea was not addressed due to a lack of development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted as the evidence shows continuity of symptoms since service and a current disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms did not warrant an increase beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal involves a claim for an increased rating for his right knee condition and service connection for sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his knee disability and whether his sleep apnea is related to his asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Meniere's syndrome with deafness and tinnitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, residuals of a left wrist injury, and residuals of a right wrist injury, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current right hip disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's complaints related to his right leg were diagnosed as neuropathy, not arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of new evidence.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the Veteran's claims due to issues regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulations having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months, nor associated neurologic impairment other than the already separately evaluated right lower radiculopathy. The Veteran's current claim was received by VA on August 22, 2005, and the record reflects he has had symptoms of radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbosacral strain since at least that time.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered to have started during his service in Iraq and has continued since. The Board therefore grants service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA spine examination.