Sleep apnea Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, and he is now entitled to a 100% evaluation for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, mastoiditis, and vertigo. The duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has found that the evidence of record raises an inferred issue of entitlement to expansion of the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain to include arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (degenerative disc disease) of the lumbosacral spine, and this case is being remanded for medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's retinitis pigmentosa was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep apnea is not due to service or any other condition, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information regarding his claims, particularly those involving service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the earliest date assignable is April 10, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a spinal injury and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of chronic residuals of a spinal injury in service or a current disability related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left knee disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for right knee arthritis with post-operative residuals of an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between the veteran's current complaints and any inservice injuries.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe that he is unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, residuals of right knee injury, bronchitis (claimed as a residual of tobacco use), postoperative bilateral inguinal hernias, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain. The veteran was not granted any effective date prior to July 24, 2003 for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and myositis, but did not assign the maximum schedular rating. The veteran's increased evaluation claim remains in controversy.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance of another person (A&A) due to his disabilities, including COPD, CAD with CABG, PVD, hypertension, arthritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not show that any disability rendered him so helpless as to require the regular A&A of another person.

The veteran does not suffer from depression which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from chronic low back pain which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from right leg pain which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from bilateral hearing loss which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from tinnitus which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from chronic bilateral foot pain which can be related to his service.,The veteran does not suffer from sleep apnea which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from diabetes mellitus which can be related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to assess the veteran's low back disability. The veteran is also advised of his right to submit additional evidence and argument.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease warrants a 20 percent rating since September 26, 2003, based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine are a residual of an injury sustained on August 19, 1978, during INACDUTRA.