Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea/upper airway resistance syndrome, finding that the veteran's condition was not incurred in active service or due to an undiagnosed illness in a Persian Gulf veteran. The increased rating claims for tendonitis of feet were also denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted an evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with chronic low back pain, effective from September 9, 1988. The veteran appealed a decision denying an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was remanded due to the need for additional development and evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claim for sleep apnea as there are procedural issues and missing records need to be obtained.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now remanded to the RO for examinations and a supplemental statement of the case.

The veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The issue of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities will be remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, but reopened the claim based on additional medical records. The RO then determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the veteran's current lumbosacral spine disorder and his active service.

The veteran's disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and tendonitis/bursitis of the shoulders, do not meet the criteria for a combined 100 percent schedular disability rating. The Board finds that his disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and gouty diathesis of multiple joints, as well as his claim for service connection for a lumbosacral disorder. The decision found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it was incurred during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is related to symptoms shown during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the claimed conditions are not service-connected.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected back disability, but granted a 60 percent evaluation effective March 4, 1999 (later revised as March 2, 1998). The case is now before the RO to determine appropriate effective dates.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected lumbosacral strain and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to ensure that all requested development has been completed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, warrants a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for back conditions and an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain. The case is being sent back to the RO for additional examination and consideration.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, and right shoulder disability are still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected recurrent lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of the thoracic spine.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the severity of his condition as indicated by X-ray findings and clinical presentation.