Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective June 5, 2023. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and bilateral wrist and hand rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the conditions are secondary to service-connected asthma and in-service hand injuries, respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that his current diagnoses were not related to his active service or any chronic condition shown in service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's back pain did not start during service and was not continuous since then.

The Veteran's migraines and sleep apnea syndrome are currently rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent.,An earlier effective date of March 18, 2020, is granted for the grant of service connection for migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and glaucoma, finding that the disorders are related to military service. Sleep apnea is secondary to a service-connected disability, while glaucoma had its onset during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, with obesity being an intermediate step in their development.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: initial compensable rating for migraines, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, and service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will need additional medical opinions and examinations to address these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to procedural errors. The Board will need to gather the Veteran's complete occupational history and income information from each year on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions in the prior decision. The appeal is not about compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's service connection for right lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy, as well as lumbosacral strain has been granted with an effective date of March 31, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of September 26, 2023. The Board denied his request for an earlier effective date based on the filing order of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition and denied effective dates prior to August 9, 2024, for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.,The Board also denied service connection for a right hip condition. The Veteran's current effective date for service connection is consistent with when she first received treatment for her back issues.

Your appeals seeking earlier effective dates for the service connection of migraines and obstructive sleep apnea have been dismissed because the issues were already pending with the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids has been granted.,Service connection is established for major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress.,Service connection is established for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis.,Service connection is established for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for migraine headaches.,Service connection is established for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed because the claim was filed more than a year after the original rating decision, which is considered untimely.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was restored to 40 percent effective May 1, 2025.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for OSA. A new VA examination is required.