Sleep apnea decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected prostate cancer resulted in a 60 percent rating from January 30, 2003. The Board found that his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is secondary to his prostate cancer and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not render him unemployable due to his disability, as it is rated at 20% and does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of the right hand or arm related to VA medical treatment. The lung disability and syncope are unrelated to military service or any incident or injury incurred during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a fungal rash of the skin of his feet, residuals of congenital abnormalities of the lumbosacral spine, and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and multiple joints of the upper extremities. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent, and his cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

Effective September 18, 1989, the veteran received service connection for a post-operative scar, residuals of lumbar spine fusion and a 40 percent rating.,The veteran's right lumbosacral radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent effective September 23, 2002.,PTSD was granted with a 100 percent rating effective June 1, 1997.,Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, postoperative status, and denied service connection for PTSD. The veteran's low back disability is found to be related to in-service parachute jumps, while his PTSD claim was not supported by credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current back disorder related to service, and thus the claim for service connection for a back disorder is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine does not warrant a higher evaluation, as it is currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The case has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, rosacea, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the claimed conditions and service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and rosacea, affects a total area of the body of 8 percent, with 2 percent in exposed areas. The VA examiner determined that no systemic therapy was required during the past 12-month period. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The veteran's appeal involves two issues: an initial evaluation for patellar tendonitis of the left knee and a claim for increased disability ratings for cervicodorsolumbosacral strain. The Board has determined that there is mixed disposition, with some issues granted and others not.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin disorders, including stasis dermatitis of the lower extremities, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, rosacea, and folliculitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's low back disability, bilateral leg disabilities, and arthritis of the feet are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disorders, but granted secondary service connection for a left great toe disorder. The effective date remains July 31, 2000.