Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder, effective from May 18, 2000. The decision did not address service connection for fibromyalgia or TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lung conditions are not related to service, including any exposure to Agent Orange or other incidents of active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, residuals of a head injury, and cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disorder was denied as he does not have ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, and thus cannot receive a higher rating under the revised criteria. His claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis are related to an inservice low back injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new spine examination and obtaining recent medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine was rated at 40 percent, while the residuals of a right knee injury, status post arthroscopic surgery, were rated at 10 percent. Service connection for the rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, but the RO has not been able to obtain inpatient hospitalization records from Fort Polk where he was treated for a knee disorder. The Board finds that these records may contain important information regarding any sleep problems noted during service.

The Board finds that the veteran's diagnosed sinus mucosal inflammatory disease manifested by chronic nasal polyps, nasal and sinus congestion, loss of sense of taste and smell, and sinus headaches developed in service and has continued as a chronic disorder up to the present time.

The veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea. He asserts he was misdiagnosed during service with narcolepsy when he actually had sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly assess the veteran's low back disability, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The claim will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service, specifically his deployment in the Gulf War. The condition was not diagnosed until six years after discharge but the VA examiner opined it was at least as likely as not caused by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available under current VA rating criteria.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the medical evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The current rating of 50% is appropriate based on limitation of motion.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected low back disability was denied. The RO found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing severe symptoms such as ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or separately ratable neurological symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's sleep apnea, left arm disorder, prostatitis (claimed as urinary tract condition), diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and umbilical hernia are all related to his active service. The eye disorder was not found to be related to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain, as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea that may be secondary to his service-connected deviated nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions.

The veteran's lumbosacral sprain was previously rated at 10 percent and has now been increased to 20 percent effective September 25, 2006.