Sleep apnea decisions — 2000

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent, as it is productive of severe impairment and additional functional loss.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of lumbosacral strain was not well grounded due to lack of evidence of a current disability and no medical opinion linking it to service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is productive of no more than severe limitation of motion, and severe limitation of motion with demonstrable deformity of the vertebral body or unfavorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine is not shown. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma is not well-grounded and denied his claim for service connection. For his chronic lumbosacral strain, the Board noted that while he presented allegations of worsening symptoms, there was no medical evidence linking these to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding no significant disc pathology or loss of range of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected rosacea/cystic acne with severe rhinophyma does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a more severe disability level.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his December 4 to December 6, 1996 hospitalization at Saint Agnes Medical Center were granted as he had a permanent total compensation rating due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for left sacroiliac strain, effective May 18, 1995.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain and dismissed the veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for his left knee disorder and residuals of a presumed spider bite to the left hand.

The appellant has withdrawn her claims for a higher disability rating for dysthymic disorder and service connection for bulimia nervosa. Her claim of entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder is well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, myopia and amblyopia, and a back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and temporary total ratings due to lack of treatment of a service-connected disability during his hospitalization.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and microscopic polyarteritis nodosa, finding that there was no reasonable possibility that these conditions were related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 10 percent for the veteran's right knee disability and lumbosacral strain, effective March 16, 1998.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease are not well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and post-traumatic stress disorder are currently evaluated, but the multiple scars of the face and neck do not warrant a compensable evaluation. The veteran is denied an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain and a compensable evaluation for his facial scars. His claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied as his disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's burial expenses are deductible from her countable income, and she is entitled to special monthly death pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.