Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or toxic exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on his participation in TERA activities during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea was denied.,The appeal to grant an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as final and binding.

The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for dry eye syndrome claimed as visual impairment, including blurry vision, blindness, double vision due to procedural error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis, disc desiccation, disc protrusion, and stenosis, as well as mandibular nerve damage of the left cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve). The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions in the VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of a testicular hernia at any time during the appeal period. The claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's PTSD did not result in an increased disability rating beyond 30 percent.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as service connected. The Veteran's infectious disease claim and stomach disability claim are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease are not secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The left and right knee disabilities, sinusitis, tinea pedis, and sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to military noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal (GI) disability, and vertigo are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the original decision, including failing to obtain an opinion on direct service connection and potential aggravation by a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it had its onset during active duty. The decision was made in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.