Sleep apnea decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and earlier effective dates for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease have been granted.,Effective June 11, 1998, the veteran is now receiving a 60 percent disability rating for his back condition.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and found that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The veteran's arthritis of the left knee and lumbosacral spine have been found to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, warranting secondary service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, PCT, skin cancer, breathing problems (COPD), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea due to exposure to Agent Orange are denied.

The veteran's bilateral hip strain and lumbosacral strain are found to be the result of his service-connected residuals of a right femur fracture, warranting service connection. His claim for an increased evaluation is granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease and increased ratings for chronic ligament strain of the left ankle and bilateral defective hearing. The claim for lumbosacral strain is granted with a 20% rating.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as she expressed satisfaction with the current ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The current rating for the right knee is 30 percent, while the back disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 40 percent rating, which is the highest available under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in an employment handicap, meeting the criteria for Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation training.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease does not warrant a higher disability rating, as it is currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral disc disease was denied because he failed to report for a required VA spine examination without good cause.

The VA denied a claim for an increased evaluation of the veteran's lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 40 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on service-connected conditions or other criteria.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that his disability did not warrant such an increase.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides in Vietnam and insufficient medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The initial evaluation assigned is 10 percent.

The veteran's loss of use of the lower extremities is not due to a service-connected disability, and he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptations grants.