Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow condition, kidney stones, and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left wrist disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his active-duty service and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the condition was caused by events occurring during his active-duty service in the Armed Forces.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability began during active service and is related to his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it was caused by an in-service event, injury or exposure.

The Veteran's increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, status post lumbosacral strain; radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity; radiculopathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity; and tibial stress fracture status post strain, right knee are denied.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation from 40% to 10% for service-connected lumbosacral strain was proper, and thus denied restoration of a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disorder, BPH with LUTS, and cholecystectomy are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service or in-service exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and the earlier effective date for service-connected chronic bilateral allergic conjunctivitis. The Veteran's current low back condition was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and lumbosacral arthritis with stenosis, disc protrusion, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), but denied service connection for cervical spine strain.,Service connection was established based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his symptoms during military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD, OSA, bilateral hearing loss, neck disability, right shoulder disability, right middle finger disability, right ankle disability, and left leg disability.,The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The lower back condition claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea disability had an in-service onset and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed as the appeal has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left hand condition, right hand condition, and muscle pain are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service. The claims for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left shoulder condition are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The VA is required to obtain an opinion from a qualified clinician assessing whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's left knee condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis are related to his active duty service.,His psychiatric disorder is secondary to his now service-connected left knee condition.,His hypertension and sleep apnea are secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus from his left knee condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress, is granted based on a consistent in-service stressor related to his service in Vietnam. The VA examiner confirmed the diagnosis of PTSD and linked it to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activities.,COPD is granted as directly related to the Veteran's conceded herbicide exposure during service. A private medical opinion supports this finding, stating that COPD is at least as likely as not caused by his tobacco use.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is as likely as not present during service and has a continuity of symptomatology since service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the conditions were not incurred or caused by active service.,Service treatment records did not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of either condition during military service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were first noted decades after separation from service.