Sleep apnea Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missing VA medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess his current neurologic disability associated with his service-connected low back disability.

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

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to moderate limitation of motion. The claim for increased rating has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has determined that a 20 percent rating is warranted based on current symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain was manifested by some painful limitation of motion and complaints of weakness, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237. The evidence does not support an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent during the period prior to April 7, 2008.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The decision also granted service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnosis of sleep apnea is related to his period of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the current level of disability due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and to identify the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.