Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased evaluation for PTSD. The Board found no current evidence of a chronic low back disability, and concluded that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411 for his PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection of sinus disability, skin disability, sleep apnea, glaucoma, and mitral regurgitation (heart disease) were denied. The veteran's PTSD was evaluated at 50% disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and a chronic back injury or disease. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, characterized as residuals associated with a previous lumbosacral strain and scoliosis, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied in July 1992 due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the one year period preceding March 22, 2003. The RO found that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine the cause of his low back and left leg symptoms, whether they are related to his service-connected scar or other conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for residuals of the removal of lumbosacral discs, L4, L5, and S1. The erectile dysfunction claim was remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the veteran's lumbosacral disc disease with spinal stenosis was incurred in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain are being remanded. The initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied, as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under current diagnostic codes. The initial rating for left ankle sprain is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, as well as his claim for service connection for chest pain. The veteran was not granted any new ratings or benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right ankle injury are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for increased evaluations is denied.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for the aforementioned issues.

The Board has remanded the veteran's case for additional development due to incomplete service records and new medical examinations.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for erectile dysfunction/impotence, and thus denied service connection.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a direct link between the veteran's military service and his currently diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration and VA medical records. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after other claims are addressed.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's eye disorders, including bilateral posterior subscapular cataracts and retinosa pigmentosa, were not incurred or aggravated by military service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence did not support a nexus between the veteran's claimed radiation exposure in service and his current eye disorders.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and findings.