Sleep apnea decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that his current ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record. The claim for PTSD was not discussed in detail as it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records and further examination or opinions.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbosacral strain and keratoconus of the right eye, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for inguinal hernia, back disorder, and left leg disorder as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing, and the appeal is now with the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the veteran's testimony and need for an addendum from a VA physician.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and sleep apnea, both claimed as secondary to service-connected bronchial asthma. The VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions as a result of his military service. Service connection is denied for all issues raised in this appeal.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, and his PTSD is rated at 30 percent. The other issues are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for eczematoid dermatitis and chronic lumbosacral strain, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, have been granted. The effective date for the TDIU is August 5, 2000.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine is etiologically related to service and/or service-connected lumbar strain, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to changes in rating criteria and need for updated medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain and status-post laparoscopic enterolysis are denied as his conditions do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, including service connection for migraines, chronic ulcers, and chronic sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with bilateral foraminal stenosis L3-4, L5-S1 and degenerative arthropathy L2-3, L5-S1 as it found that a rating in excess of 60 percent is not warranted under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal involves increased ratings for various knee and back conditions, including DJD of the lumbosacral spine, bursitis of the right trochanteric bursa, arthritis, instability, and postoperative residuals of a medial meniscectomy. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep apnea and arthritis of both knees were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability.,Both conditions have no current diagnosis in the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for angiosarcoma of the scalp, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service.