Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain/sprain with intermittent left sided sciatica, and first degree spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1 with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, claimed as secondary to a lumbosacral strain with injury to L1 and L5 and degenerative changes, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (right and left), and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes mellitus or any other service event.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of a causal link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The initial evaluation for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent, while the lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 30 percent as of April 8, 2008. Service connection has not been established for prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor, sleep apnea, or residuals of breast reduction and right thumb sprain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain and spondylolisthesis, currently rated at 40 percent. The TDIU claim is also granted as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability was previously denied and is now being reopened. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, and calcaneal spurs are all currently rated based on their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain was received on May 27, 1998. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set to May 27, 1998.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a current VA examination to determine the current level of disability due to his service-connected left knee and low back disorders.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective from March 2004. The claimant is seeking higher evaluations for her right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and unfulfilled requests.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied by the Board, as it is currently evaluated at a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 23, 2002. The effective date of the TDIU rating is set at September 23, 2002.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from Dr. Clifford Weldon, M.D.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that his disability warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent from March 2, 2006. Effective October 18, 2006, the Veteran is entitled to a separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy or peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The claimant's appeal regarding increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease from October 18, 2006 remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, lung disability, hiatal hernia, arthritis of the spine, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after active duty, and there is insufficient continuity of symptomatology to support a finding that they are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spondylosis with intermittent left radiculopathy, right patellofemoral syndrome, and left patellofemoral syndrome. The claim for an increase in rating for osteoarthritic left talonavicular joint was not addressed as it is not part of the appeal.