Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has found that the record is not sufficiently developed to ensure an informed decision and has ordered additional examinations, records reviews, and evidence collection. The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions need to be rated appropriately.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding it related to injury during active service. The veteran's other claims remain pending.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus, degenerative joint disease, and lumbosacral paravertebral fibromyositis is rated at 60 percent prior to September 23, 2002, and the combined rating for all disabilities remains at 60 percent after that date.

The veteran's postoperative lumbosacral disc disease is rated at 40 percent prior to November 18, 2003 and at 30 percent from that date. Her maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis remains rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with severe limitation of motion is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, disciform maculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the hands, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied as it is not due to or proximately caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain was denied. The RO assigned an initial 10 percent disability evaluation in October 2002, which was increased to 20 percent as of the effective date for service connection in July 2005. However, the veteran's appeal remains pending and he is seeking a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the current record is insufficient to decide the claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, and a new VA orthopedic examination is needed. The RO should also obtain all outstanding medical records of the veteran's treatment for his low back.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and a compensable rating for his lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it was not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral myofibrositis and multiple joint pain were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have degenerative disc disease or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with heavy menstruation that is attributable to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether any lower extremity radiculopathy is related to active service or the service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and to schedule a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right little finger disabilities are being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, heart palpitations with left-sided chest pain, lumbosacral strain, sinusitis, left ear hearing loss, left fifth finger, tendonitis of the right knee, and migraine headaches.

The veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for lumbosacral strain is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, an undiagnosed illness characterized by headaches, sleepiness, poor memory and concentration, and sexual dysfunction, and an undiagnosed illness characterized by low back pain with numbness and weakness of the legs.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain superimposed on congenital anomalies was denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as the evidence did not support a finding of moderate limitation of motion beyond what is already compensated.