Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture. As such, these conditions are considered secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his coronary artery disease, bilateral knee sprain, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing as requested. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for service-connected headaches and PTSD, and seeking service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating greater than 20 percent for his service-connected low back disorder was dismissed because a timely substantive appeal was not filed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and hypertension.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any arthralgia of multiple joints, including lumbosacral spine disorder, and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in active military service and the Board finds that she has experienced a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's urticaria pigmentosa associated with mastocytosis is rated at 30 percent effective as of March 18, 2008. This rating reflects the severity of his condition based on recurrent debilitating episodes and intermittent systemic immunosuppressive therapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, insomnia, and hypertension.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating of 20 percent is granted effective January 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has determined that the May 2006, February 2007, and June 2007 rating decisions denying service connection for low back disorder and sleep apnea were not erroneous.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or causation to service, and thus denied these claims. Additionally, the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right and left knee chrondromalacia patella and DDD of the lumbar spine were also denied.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and no incapacitating episodes have occurred. Therefore, a rating higher than 40 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but his depression is found to be secondary to his already service-connected low back disability. His low back disability remains at a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bulimia nervosa and gastritis and reflux esophagitis have been granted. The remaining issues, including those related to the right wrist, ankle, and dental disorders, were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not manifest within one year following service and is not related to any aspect of his military service, including a coccyx injury in 1984. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's death was attributed to natural causes, specifically end stage renal disease. The service-connected conditions (post-laminectomy lumbosacral disc disease and PTSD) are not considered contributory factors in his death.