Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted a higher evaluation of 40 percent for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, effective April 10, 1997. The bipolar disorder with psychotic features is also rated at 30 percent, effective April 10, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for intermittent lumbosacral strain, shin splints, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including chronic schizoaffective-type schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). The claim for eligibility for VA medical care based on service connection for chronic schizoaffective-type schizophrenia was also denied.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned the appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of his service-connected conditions, but did not grant any additional benefits.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral/dorsal spine disability is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The left hip, cervical spine, and lumbosacral spine conditions are currently evaluated at non-compensable levels.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts and COPD, all secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The VA Assistant Chief Medical Director found it unlikely that these conditions were related to the veteran's in-service exposure.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and bilateral knee disability, finding new and material evidence. However, it denied service connection for these conditions as they are not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking them to service.

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

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and denied any increase in rating for his left knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of his spine and a temporary total convalescent rating based on laminectomy surgery performed in June 1995. The claim for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain was also denied as the highest possible schedular evaluation has been assigned.

The Board found no competent medical evidence associating the veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with his military service or to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, thus denying service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings, finding that he did not submit timely substantive appeals or NODs on several issues. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiovascular disability, an increased rating for adjustment disorder with bulimia nervosa, and an increased rating for ovarian cysts. The decision found no current evidence of a cardiovascular disability or any nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service and could not establish a well-grounded claim for service connection based on presumed exposure. The veteran's skin and eye conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied by the RO, and no new evidence or changes in circumstances were provided to reopen the case.

The VA has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more severe impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 31, 1997, for service connection granted in January 1998 due to lack of evidence showing sleep apnea prior to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.