Sleep apnea decisions — 2009

The veteran's left knee disorder is service-connected, and the Board will remand for a new examination to assess the current severity of his lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the claims for higher ratings for the right shoulder and low back disabilities to obtain updated VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the left knee and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of the left foot and right knee.

The veteran's claim for assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied due to the absence of a qualifying service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there was no evidence of a link between the disability and his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for dermatofibrosarcoma, status post wide excision, is being remanded to obtain a more comprehensive examination of the residuals and to update VA medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain as new and material evidence was not received.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations or additional service-connected benefits.

The case was remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's right knee and low back disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. Service connection for a skin disability (tinea pedis) was granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, low back disability, bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea, bronchitis and carpal tunnel syndrome as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the veteran's lumbar spine disability due to a lack of medical evidence supporting a relationship between the two conditions.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and an earlier effective date for left leg radiculopathy was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were partially denied, with a 30 percent evaluation granted for headaches.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for inactive tuberculosis of the thoracic spine at T-4 with degenerative disc disease from July 26, 2002 until September 25, 2003 was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, finding that the current ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension were remanded for a videoconference hearing.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish a link between his claimed conditions and military service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied, while his claims for increased ratings for folliculitis of the face and post-operative residuals, tumor, buccal vestibule area of mental nerve in region of tooth #27 were granted.