Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 1, 1965. The RO also granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of L4-S1 with radiculopathy and assigned a 40 percent evaluation effective from May 15, 1997. The veteran's fractured left fibula was rated as noncompensable. Bilateral hearing loss was not considered due to lack of evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various service-connected conditions, including patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, a left foot spur, and onychomycosis. The effective date is not specified in the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral strain with arthritis, finding that the condition has been manifested by a lengthy history of back complaints but not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral spine conditions are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. His claim for service connection for bilateral hip replacements, claimed as secondary to his back disability, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his right knee and dermatitis disabilities do not warrant ratings higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability, lumbosacral strain, and antral gastritis and duodenitis. The appeals were not about service connection.

The Board granted an effective date of November 17, 1997 for a 20 percent evaluation for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine.

The veteran's service-connected back disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased rating or TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder, left knee arthritis, left hip arthritis, and left ankle arthritis.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain and a 60 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from April 30, 1992.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with intervertebral disc disease, effective from November 13, 1998.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain, finding that the current manifestations do not warrant such an increase.

The Board found that the veteran's disability of the lumbosacral spine is manifested by severe limitation of motion and recurrent pain attacks with intermittent relief, warranting a 40 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, characterized by moderate limitation of motion with pain, does not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability rating did not meet the minimum requirements for schedular or extraschedular TDIU. The veteran had worked at substantially gainful employment and was capable of performing the physical and mental acts required for such employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, tinnitus, rhinitis, otitis media, and residuals of tonsillectomy. The arthritis of the knees is separately rated at 10 percent.