Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability warranted a 10 percent rating under DC 5257, but denied an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 18, 1999 for his nonservice-connected disability pension benefits. The evidence showed that entitlement to these benefits arose on or after March 18, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, shin splints, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain. The RO assigned the current 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder, effective prior to May 22, 1998. The issues of an increased rating for the right buttock gunshot wound and service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and lumbosacral spine are remanded due to conflicting findings and diagnoses.

The veteran's right hip disability and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes are not service-connected, and his total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa, finding that it is a direct condition and not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The current evaluation of 20 percent is maintained.

The VA has denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and dermatitis, but granted a 10% evaluation for dermatitis. The claim to reopen service connection for syringomyelia with syrinx in the cervical spinal canal was not successful.

The veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need to address his secondary service connection claim for disability of the right leg. The issue of service connection for the right leg is also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed before any decision can be made.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, effective from the date of the September 1983 rating decision.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including a cardiovascular disorder (hypertension), cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, and lower thoracic kyphosis with osteoarthritis. The Board finds that additional development is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for Retinitis pigmentosa due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran not reporting for VA examinations and the confusion about his mailing address. The veteran is required to provide updated information on any treatment received, including from non-VA providers.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for back strain with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under relevant diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain disability warranted a 40 percent rating, but denied service connection for his right hip disability. The RO has not yet considered whether additional notification or development is required under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his chronic lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing.