Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis, currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral disc and joint disease, a 10 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, or any other condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to his service-connected thoracic back strain. The criteria for a higher rating for his thoracic back strain have been met, but he does not meet the requirements for a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from May 4, 1999.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and his epidermophytosis of the feet remains at 10 percent. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder, bilateral knee disorder, stomach disorder, hiatal hernia, fatigue, and back disorder (arthritis of the lumbosacral spine) are not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's lumbosacral strain with fusion from L4-S1, spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, bulging disc, and Spina Bifida Occulta.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and lumbosacral strain was not well-grounded. The rating for lumbosacral strain was increased to 20 percent, effective July 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and financial assistance, finding that his chronic lumbosacral strain warranted a 40% rating based on severe limitation of motion. The total disability rating claim was also denied.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a back disorder, finding that the veteran's current condition was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence submitted since 1974 did not provide new and material information to support this conclusion.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbosacral spine disability and anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for ocular rosacea, claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange in service is denied because the condition is not a presumptive disease and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the claim is not well-grounded.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the veteran's current symptoms warranted this level of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbosacral spine disorder and an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran's current PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but his claim was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The veteran's back disorder results in significant limitation of motion with objectively demonstrated pain on motion, and the level of disability associated with his low back strain more nearly approximates the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease warrant a 20 percent evaluation, effective from his date of claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of both hips, lumbosacral strain with disc disease and arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. The evaluation for lumbosacral strain is granted at 20 percent, while the hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for his left hand disability, as well as for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was granted a noncompensable evaluation for residuals of a laceration of the fifth finger of the left hand in January 1997.

The Board found that the appellant's claims of service connection for endometriosis, lumbosacral strain, and major depression were not well-grounded due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to her military service.