Sleep apnea Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, pelvic tilt, degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and a neck condition have been granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and lumbosacral strain are being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected back disability did not necessitate frequent hospitalizations or result in marked industrial impairment, and therefore denied an extraschedular rating.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and cervical/lumbosacral strain do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain and defective hearing do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The appeal is remanded to provide sufficient notice and readjudication on the issues of secondary service connection that have been raised.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, but not for a low back disorder. The veteran's myofascial pain syndrome is related to his active duty service, while sleep apnea, GERD, and memory loss are not.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder and PTSD, as there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or verified stressor event.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, service connection for sleep apnea, heart disability, onychomycosis, lipomas, and left foot and ankle disability. However, it granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD as of May 3, 2006, due to worsening symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the right knee and DDD of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine at L3-4 and L4-5, finding no clear and unmistakable error in a 1961 rating decision that denied service connection.

The Board remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis and left lower extremity radiculopathy for further development.

The veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, as there was no evidence of chronic disability during or shortly after service and no medical evidence linking his current degenerative disc disease to his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20% for lumbosacral traumatic degenerative changes, as the evidence did not show limitation of thoracolumbar forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The veteran's bulimia/anorexia nervosa was denied an increased rating, but service connection for a psychiatric disability other than bulimia/anorexia nervosa was granted.

The veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a higher initial or increased rating.

The veteran's residuals of L1 burst fracture of the lumbosacral spine have not been shown to be more severe than currently rated, and an evaluation in excess of 40 percent is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a sleep disorder, and pityriasis rosacea as the evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or after active duty.