Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbosacral strain was granted, while the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, with history of herniated disc, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disorder, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for obesity, coronary artery disease with history of congestive heart failure, and sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, sleep apnea, and joint pain to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability related to each condition.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea as they were not shown in service or for several years thereafter and are not associated with the Veteran's service. The Board also denied increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, disequilibrium, hiatal hernia, and chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, as the evidence did not support a higher schedular disability rating.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for disabilities manifested by thoracic scoliosis/lumbosacral pain and recurrent pelvic pain.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as the evidence did not show that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The appeal is remanded for an additional VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by her service-connected bronchial asthma, and whether Prednisone taken for asthma caused weight gain which led to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's Eustachian tube dysfunction is manifested by occasional dizziness, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims ruled that the criteria for entitlement to service connection for a back disability are met and that service connection is warranted.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for a respiratory disorder other than COPD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and residuals of a retinal detachment of the left eye, to include residuals of laser surgery, were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disabilities, sexual dysfunction, and fibromyalgia as there was no competent evidence to show that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's active service.

The case is remanded for additional VA examination and development to assess the current severity of the veteran's lumbosacral strain, particularly during flare-ups.