Sleep apnea Board decisions

The VA determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine does not warrant a higher evaluation, as it is currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The case has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, rosacea, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the claimed conditions and service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and rosacea, affects a total area of the body of 8 percent, with 2 percent in exposed areas. The VA examiner determined that no systemic therapy was required during the past 12-month period. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The veteran's appeal involves two issues: an initial evaluation for patellar tendonitis of the left knee and a claim for increased disability ratings for cervicodorsolumbosacral strain. The Board has determined that there is mixed disposition, with some issues granted and others not.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current skin disorders, including stasis dermatitis of the lower extremities, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, rosacea, and folliculitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's low back disability, bilateral leg disabilities, and arthritis of the feet are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disorders, but granted secondary service connection for a left great toe disorder. The effective date remains July 31, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board granted a TDIU effective July 24, 1997. The veteran now seeks an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule. The claim was also denied for a temporary increase in disability rating from January 13, 2004 to February 6, 2005.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 21, 1997 for a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with early degenerative changes was initially rated at 20 percent disabling. Beginning July 3, 2003, the disability is now rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral disability and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected lumbar strain disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and denied her claims for non-service-connected disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice provided regarding disability ratings and effective dates for service connection claims.