Sleep apnea decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the appellant's lumbosacral strain is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disorder and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as chronic lumbosacral strain, is due to an injury sustained during his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder and denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation (100%), but no extra-schedular evaluation was granted.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 40 percent for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, finding that it meets the criteria for severe limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral and thoracic spine, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain, lumbosacral strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease do not warrant a higher rating as their manifestations are currently no more than moderate or slight.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that liposarcoma was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has not determined whether the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are valid, as his service-connected lumbosacral strain did not increase in severity or cause him to be unemployable within one year prior to February 14, 1990.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and L5-S1 interbody fusion residuals are found to have originated during his period of wartime service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a compensable evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board granted service connection for tinea pedis, seborrheic dermatitis, and acne rosacea as related to the veteran's period of active service. Service connection was also granted for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for poor leg circulation, varicose veins, prostate cancer, and sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for PTSD was not addressed as it is not a direct service connection issue.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral disorder in April 1989, finding that the evidence did not support its onset during service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the legal requirements to receive such benefits based on his multiple disabilities.

The veteran's appeal involves issues related to his lumbosacral strain and service connection for heart disorder. The case is being remanded for further development, including adjudication of the service connection issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain and peripheral neuropathy, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations, finding that the current disability did not warrant a rating higher than 60 percent as of April 7, 1999.

The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral myofascial strain with radiculitis, claimed as a back condition is being remanded to the RO for scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.