Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. The case is being sent back to the RO for additional examination and consideration.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of migraine headaches or a skin disorder that was incurred in service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease, which renders the veteran unable to work.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his own abilities and the lack of available jobs, despite his qualifications.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's intervertebral disc disease and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine are causally related to active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of October 26, 1998, and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting medical examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities include bilateral arm disability, left knee disability, back disorder, hypertension, pinched nerve in both lower legs, sleep apnea, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The appeal is granted for all issues.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and lumbosacral strain secondary to a right knee injury.

The Board found that the veteran's current sleep apnea disability did not have its onset during his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The RO increased the rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain from 0 to 10 percent, effective July 3, 2001. The DRO again increased it to 20 percent with the same effective date of July 3, 2001 based on more recent VA outpatient treatment records. The veteran continues to appeal for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including post traumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder with psychotic features, as well as for disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The reasons are not provided in this text.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea versicolor is very likely related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to cure a procedural defect. The veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur sleep apnea as a result of his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current back problems are not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran withdrew their appeal for increased evaluations of both service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and to cure a procedural defect. The RO must ensure all VCAA notice obligations have been satisfied, provide the veteran with an orthopedic examination, and readjudicate the issues on appeal.