Sleep apnea decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for optic neuritis of the left eye and lumbosacral strain have been denied as there is no evidence to support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right knee strain and a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, effective from November 14, 1995.

The Board dismissed a claim of entitlement to increased evaluation for service connected arthritis of the lumbosacral spine on the grounds that a timely substantive appeal had not been filed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbosacral strain and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression are not supported by the evidence, as the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not address the claim of increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with radiculitis to the right hip as it was not raised in this appeal.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her lumbosacral strain was granted, with the effective date being June 2, 1997.,Prior to June 2, 1997, the veteran had a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are not well grounded and have denied both his claim for an increased rating for chronic strain, lumbosacral sacroiliac coccygodynia and his claim for a compensable disability rating for malaria.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for panic disorder and a non-increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain and tinnitus, are sufficiently severe to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability evaluation, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the veteran's low back disorder, which includes degenerative disc disease and postoperative residuals of an L4-L5 herniated disc. The condition produces severe limitation of motion of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation, and his skull fracture with cephalalgia and conversion reaction warrant a rating of 10 percent. The decision is based on severe degenerative disease in the lumbosacral spine and subjective complaints of headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis, status post laminectomy warrants a 40 percent disability rating due to severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her lumbosacral strain with MRI evidence of a herniated disc at L4-5 was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's right knee postoperative residuals with degenerative joint disease and chronic lumbosacral strain, but denied an increase in rating for his postoperative right knee with laxity.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of the right shoulder, right knee, and lower back strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbosacral strain is a chronic condition incurred during service and secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disability, warranting service connection.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.