Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service and insufficient medical opinion to link the current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and hypothyroidism, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of fatigue, tiredness, and snoring are related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability and headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection or a compensable rating, respectively.

The Board found no CUE in the prior rating decisions denying a TDIU, as there was insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in November 1973, and the Board has reopened it with new evidence. However, his current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be related to his period of active duty. The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate examination and lack of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The Veteran's service-connected residuals of meningitis, to include headaches, are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. However, he received a non-compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from December 6, 2006 to March 4, 2009 and an increased evaluation of 10 percent effective March 5, 2009.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in the prior decisions, and there was no indication that the Veteran filed a claim or informal claim for these conditions before the effective dates assigned.

The Veteran's left lower lumbosacral radiculopathy is rated as 10 percent disabling effective January 24, 2006.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for lumbosacral radiculopathy allegedly caused by VA treatment, but the claim must be remanded due to insufficient evidence and missing records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his previously denied lumbosacral strain claim due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left thumb dislocation, right shoulder arthritis, right elbow epicondylitis, left elbow epicondylitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The original decisions denying these claims are final.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for sleep apnea are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional VA medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with the effective date being November 17, 2008. The claims for increased ratings of his left and right knee disabilities were not addressed in this decision.