Sleep apnea Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral disc disease and bilateral hip degenerative joint disease have been rated based on their severity. The rating for the lumbar spine condition has varied from 20% to 60%, while the hip condition was initially rated at 10% but reduced to non-compensable.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his disabilities, finding no current disability of the eyes for which service connection may be granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea, finding that the veteran's claimed stressors were not verified and thus did not meet the criteria for establishing service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. Service connection is denied for bilateral knee disability and left ankle disability.

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

The Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis, including of the left ankle and lumbosacral spine, hips, and knees, was incurred in active service. The RO previously denied these claims due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent evaluation, as her symptoms are primarily manifested by nonservice-connected disc disease and not service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, back disorder, recurrent abdominal pain, and sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board found that the veteran's sleep apnea did not require a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine prior to March 1, 2002. Therefore, he was denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for this period.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, finding no current disabilities or evidence of in-service injuries that would support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently manifested bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine injury residuals, and TDIU due to his service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The Board has determined that no such claim was pending prior to June 24, 1998.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (depressive reaction, schizoaffective disorder, and lumbosacral strain) prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back and cervical spine disabilities were denied by the Board. The low back disability was rated at 40 percent, while the cervical spine disability remained at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they render him in need of aid and attendance or housebound, given his recent medical deterioration.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities warranted higher evaluations.