Sleep apnea Board decisions

The veteran's lumbosacral strain is productive of severe functional impairment, but the back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not involve pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome or ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical strain, left knee chondromalacia, and lumbosacral strain are all related to his active service. The original rating of 20 percent for the low back disability is granted.

The Board denied increased evaluations for COPD and lumbosacral strain as residuals of service-connected shell fragment wounds, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating from 10 percent to noncompensable for lumbosacral strain was proper and upheld. The veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 was denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with bulging disc and herniation at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board denied reimbursement or payment for the cost of private medical care provided to the veteran at McKennan Hospital from July 7 to [redacted], 1996, due to lack of a medical emergency and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current disability to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 60 percent disabling, and his conversion reaction is rated at 30 percent prior to May 28, 1997, and not higher after that date.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to cause bilateral hip and ankle pain, resulting in a grant of service connection. The claim for an increased rating for the lumbar strain residuals remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 23, 2009 for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and entitlement to an extraschedular disability rating for the same condition. The Veteran is asked to provide lay statements from individuals who have observed his symptoms during flare-ups and without medication. A retrospective medical opinion is needed to assess the severity of his condition prior to March 23, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.

The claim for service connection of a low back disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is denied as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to service.