Sleep apnea decisions — 2010

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it originated in service and was caused by a superimposed injury to congenitally narrow nasal architecture.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating of 40 percent has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on multiple service-connected conditions were denied. The VA examinations and medical records did not support the requested increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's current disabilities were found not to be related to his military service, and he was awarded a 20% disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease beginning October 9, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected rosacea is manifested by monthly flare-ups with small pustules of the scalp, significant redness of the paranasal, cheeks and chin area and erythema of the neck involving approximately 5 percent of the Veteran's total body surface area and 38 percent of exposed area. The Board finds that a 30 percent evaluation for rosacea is warranted based on the evidence showing that the condition affects between 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas.

The Board found that the Veteran's retinitis pigmentosa did not manifest in service and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence received since the last complete Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The VA Chief Benefits Director denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that it did not present such exceptional or unusual disability picture as to warrant a higher rating.