Sleep apnea Board decisions

The VA determined that the appellant's lumbosacral strain, L4-L5 discogenic disease, bulging disc and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective May 11, 1993.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with postoperative residuals of a herniated disc at L5-S1 was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the low back strain was not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with L1 wedging and bilateral heel contusions, but denied service connection for stress fracture of the dorsum of the right foot. The veteran's bilateral heel contusions are currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and a higher evaluation for schizophrenia.

The veteran's current low back disorder, including pain and severe limitation of motion, has not been medically linked to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 20 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as there is no competent evidence linking his current low grade fibrosarcoma of the right calf to an injury or disease in service.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of severe loss of range of motion or ankylosis.

The veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain has been granted a 20 percent evaluation, and his right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent from June 29, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral strain, and gastroesophageal reflux with esophagitis, hiatal hernia, and erosive gastritis. The evidence did not support service connection or higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary emphysema, and sleep apnea due to asbestos exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to his service-connected sinusitis. The veteran's service-connected sinusitis was rated at 10%.

The veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and vascular headaches and cervicogenic headaches, secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease of the spine, has been granted with a 10% evaluation.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his agreement with the assigned ratings and his application for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral strain with post-traumatic lumbar spine arthritis, as the medical evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on intervertebral disc syndrome or other neurological findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyositis, paravertebral lumbosacral muscles warrants a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that the current evaluation of 40 percent adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability on a secondary basis to his service-connected shell fragment wounds. The case has been remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a physician regarding the relationship between the lumbosacral strain and the service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of a back injury during service and concluded that the current lumbar disability is not related to military service.