Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate nexus opinions and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims are related to his service-connected PTSD.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus (claimed as flatfoot) are denied. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and lumbosacral strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of VA to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her sleep apnea, which may be related to her active-duty service or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for dermatitis/eczema, sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (including MDD and PTSD), hypertension, COPD, low back disorder, and prostate cancer are all granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these determinations based on direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as his request for an increased rating for right ankle sprain. The decision found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS and lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence in the July 2024 VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as there was no in-service diagnosis or symptoms, and the VA examiner found it less likely caused by service.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because the condition did not begin during service or shortly after, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's hypertension is also not a qualifying disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's vertigo was not service-connected as it did not start in service or shortly thereafter, and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms. It is also not a qualifying disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted based on presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during the Gulf War era.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active duty service. The appeal was dismissed due to a moot issue as the AOJ had already granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claim of entitlement to TDIU, which is being remanded. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to mercury in dental amalgams and asbestos during service. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these exposures are related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for OSA with bronchitis and history of asthma is denied. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as the Board is barred by res judicata from readjudicating this issue.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the prior denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including sinusitis, sleep apnea, a stomach disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and a back disability. The appeals are pending further examination or evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's 100% rating for hemorrhagic stroke is granted effective March 19, 2021. OSA and periodic limb movement syndrome are denied service connection. Pituitary mass remains under review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the need for a VA examination and opinion on whether the Veteran's OSA is related to service exposure to burn pits. The AOJ will be required to obtain this examination.

The Veteran's cervical strain is granted service connection, while his sleep apnea remains under review.