Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that bronchial asthma and sleep apnea are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected restrictive lung disease, warranting grants of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The Board finds that further development is needed due to the conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's current sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral spinal stenosis, is causally related to his period of military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted, thus the issue is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss meeting VA disability compensation criteria during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than April 26, 1993 for a 60 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain with disc protrusion and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability from October 25, 1991 to April 25, 1993. The decision was based on the evidence and applicable legal criteria at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, is etiologically related to active service. As such, service connection for a back disorder is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not due to any incident or event during active duty, and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was not manifested within one year after his separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, vertigo, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at lumbosacral level with referred pain to the left leg was denied. The current evaluation is 20 percent, and no effective date has been assigned.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent and the Board found that his current range of motion did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's back, hand, and foot disabilities are not related to his military service or his service-connected sarcoidosis. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability during service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of this decision. Additionally, separate 10 percent disability ratings are granted for neurologic manifestations of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to service, and Dingess notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates must be provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of her claims.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions attributable to his period of military service.

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

The Board denied the appellant's request for a waiver of overpayment, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to the appellant's fault in creating the debt.