Service connection for sleep apnea is denied. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for migraine headaches throughout the appeal period is granted. Increased ratings for bilateral keratoconus are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to be incurred in service and a separate disability diagnosis has not been established. Migraine headaches were found to meet criteria for a 30 percent rating based on frequency of attacks, but no higher as they did not result in severe economic inadaptability. Bilateral keratoconus with cataracts was rated at the maximum available level.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, migraine headaches, bilateral keratoconus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18136951
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 18136951.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
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