Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, which is more than the current 40 percent rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, but notes that this decision is based on incorrect information and requests additional records to be obtained. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a liver disorder and a lumbosacral spine disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that his condition only warrants a 20 percent rating based on mild to moderate limitation of spinal motion.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and left hip piriformis syndrome, as well as an increased evaluation for adjustment disorder secondary to history of assault. The claims were found not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to an injury during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied restoration of the 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, denied an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus, and denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied increased ratings for headaches and lumbosacral strain, as well as a claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's claims were found not to meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his limited use of his left upper extremity and right hand, despite having some loss of use in his left lower extremity.

The Board found that the veteran's current nasal disorder is not related to his service or any VA treatment, and thus denied both his claim for service connection and his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the lumbosacral spine and granted service connection for a shrapnel wound scar of the right knee. The veteran's claim for other musculoskeletal disabilities of the right knee was not addressed as it is considered part of the service-connected scar.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected mechanical back pain is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the degree of impairment attributable to this condition.

The veteran's DJD of the lumbosacral spine with pain on motion and X-ray involvement of the thoracic spine was rated at 10 percent prior to October 28, 1998.,From October 28, 1998, the veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine with limitation of motion is rated at 20 percent.,The veteran's DJD of the thoracic spine remains rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 16, 2000. The RO found that the veteran had met the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU claim and there was evidence of current service-connected unemployability in his claims file.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain, status post laminectomy or tinea pedis. The combined effect of these conditions does not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's retinitis pigmentosa first manifested during his military service and is not attributable to pre-existing conditions. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the service-connected postoperative residuals of a right knee injury and has granted an effective date of February 13, 1997. The Board also found that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of February 13, 1997 for a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has affirmed the denial of a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes, citing incomplete evaluations of non-service-connected disabilities.