The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of insomnia or any other sleep disorder disability. For his degenerative disc disease, the Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability warranting an increased rating beyond 10 percent. For his allergic rhinitis, the Board concluded that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Board found no competent medical evidence supporting a diagnosis of insomnia or any other sleep disorder disability. The Veteran’s symptoms were attributed to his occupational duties rather than service connection. For his degenerative disc disease, the Board noted that while the Veteran presented with pain and limited range of motion, there was no ankylosis, IVDS, or other neurologic abnormality warranting a higher rating. For his allergic rhinitis, the Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of polyps or obstruction in the nasal cavity.
- Claimed conditions
- insomnia, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18124588
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18124588.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection of insomnia was denied, and the effective date is set to the date of receipt of the claim (May 31, 2024).
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
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