Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed bronchial asthma and sleep apnea disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service, while his stasis dermatitis disorder was not shown to be related to service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back disorder did not originate during active duty and is not related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that the condition did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for retinitis pigmentosa, finding that no claim for compensation benefits was submitted until August 12, 1997.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disability, manifested by pain radiating to the lower extremities and moderate limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for an extension of eligibility for vocational and rehabilitation training under the terms and conditions of Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was denied because his service-connected low back disability had not worsened to the extent that he was precluded from performing the duties of his rehabilitated occupation.

The Board has granted the reduction in rating from 30 percent to 20 percent for residuals of a back strain with arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that discontinuing the separate evaluation for arthritis was warranted due to legal error. The veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from November 1997.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease effective from May 15, 2000. The right knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to this decision and remains unchanged.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that it produces severe limitation of motion.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is pending. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records and provide the veteran with a VA examination to assess his current low back and left shoulder disabilities, including their etiology and impact on his ability to work.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbosacral spine disability and left ulna and radius fracture, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder did not begin during service and is therefore denied service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right above the knee amputation and bilateral shoulder strains, have resulted in locomotion being precluded without assistive devices. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with chronic low back pain has been granted, and he is currently receiving a 20 percent disability rating.

The veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent from August 2, 1995 to May 29, 2000. From May 30, 2000, the condition is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic cervical spine disability and an increased evaluation for the veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral spine disability. The claim for total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability was remanded to the RO.

The Board denied a higher rating for the service-connected low back condition, assigning a 20 percent evaluation effective from April 1998. The veteran's claim was not well grounded as asthma.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral disability, currently rated at 40 percent, did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating. The evidence showed severe limitation of lumbar motion but no more than moderate intervertebral disc disease.