Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder and right knee disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the appellant's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including migraines, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, skin rash, and joint aches, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or an undiagnosed illness related to his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War era.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his retinitis pigmentosa is related to his active service, including radiation exposure and use of anti-malarial drugs. The VA examiner concluded that the condition may be linked to his service-connected skin disability but not to his alleged in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other procedural requirements.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for chronic sinusitis was granted, and he was awarded service connection for depression and sleep apnea (claimed as sleep problems) due to an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service. The low back disorder claim is pending.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot condition was aggravated by service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The issues regarding his bilateral eye conditions and sleep apnea are referred back to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not result in chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, nor has he required a tracheostomy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete opinions from the VA examiners.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a lumbosacral strain and cervical strain have been rated at 40 percent each since September 10, 2002. The Board found that the current evaluations are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent evaluation effective August 15, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been manifested by subjective complaints of pain on motion and loss of motion, but these symptoms are attributed to a nonservice-connected low back disorder. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's vision impairment does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a rating of 20% for bilateral hearing loss, but his claims for depression, degenerative disc and facet joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities remain unresolved. Additionally, he is now receiving TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.