Sleep apnea decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for lesions on the arms, back, and buttocks (diagnosed as neurofibromas) and a sleep/breathing disorder (diagnosed as sleep apnea syndrome) are not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected asthma did not contribute to his death, and denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected myxoid liposarcoma warrants a 30 percent evaluation from February 1, 1993, based on residual disabilities including tender and painful scars, numbness of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and moderately severe injury to Muscle Group XIV.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on the current evidence of record. The evaluations are consistent with the severity and nature of his disabilities.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a 50 percent disability evaluation for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and consideration of secondary service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities do not warrant evaluations in excess of 10 percent or restoration to a 20 percent evaluation, respectively.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, which is more than the current 40 percent rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, but notes that this decision is based on incorrect information and requests additional records to be obtained. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a liver disorder and a lumbosacral spine disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that his condition only warrants a 20 percent rating based on mild to moderate limitation of spinal motion.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and left hip piriformis syndrome, as well as an increased evaluation for adjustment disorder secondary to history of assault. The claims were found not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to an injury during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied restoration of the 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, denied an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus, and denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied increased ratings for headaches and lumbosacral strain, as well as a claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's claims were found not to meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his limited use of his left upper extremity and right hand, despite having some loss of use in his left lower extremity.

The Board found that the veteran's current nasal disorder is not related to his service or any VA treatment, and thus denied both his claim for service connection and his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the lumbosacral spine and granted service connection for a shrapnel wound scar of the right knee. The veteran's claim for other musculoskeletal disabilities of the right knee was not addressed as it is considered part of the service-connected scar.