Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, finding that his disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling and does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a GI disorder but denied it. The claims for residuals of malaria, dengue fever, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea were not met.

The veteran meets the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating for his lower back disorder, including intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left shoulder bursitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have service connection for hearing loss, right ankle injury, right wrist sprain, tinnitus, left knee chondromalacia, serous otitis media, or cyst of the right testicle. The evaluation for lumbosacral strain is 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's disability of the lumbosacral spine, manifested by limitation of motion, does not more nearly approximate severe than moderate; therefore, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right wrist condition does not warrant a compensable rating. For his claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, the evidence did not establish chronicity during service and continuity after discharge, leading to denial.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's retinitis pigmentosa was aggravated by service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and multiple other conditions, preclude him from performing substantially gainful employment. His right carpal tunnel syndrome is not found to be secondary to his service-connected right arm disorders. He does not meet eligibility requirements for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment. The veteran's TDIU rating claim is denied as he has a combined disability rating of 80 percent and the evidence shows that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease and myositis of the lumbosacral spine, residuals of a fracture of the right middle finger, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for the veteran's low back disability, effective August 25, 2000. The claim of service connection for left knee disability and primary insomnia is also granted.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including diplopia, hernia repair, pterygium, blepharitis and conjunctivitis with trichiasis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease prior to August 11, 1993.

The veteran was granted service connection for disabilities of the left knee and lumbosacral spine as secondary to his right knee disability, effective March 9, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for muscle strains of the left knee and lumbosacral spine, with a 10% evaluation assigned since November 29, 2000.

The veteran's appeal for initial compensable disability ratings for a laceration of the left index finger and lumbosacral strain was dismissed as he did not file a timely substantive appeal after receiving the statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with right hip pain was incurred during active service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not warrant a compensable rating, assigning a 10% evaluation.