Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right knee disability, allergic rhinitis, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded for further development. The right knee disability is already at the maximum possible rating under DC 5259. Separate ratings may be considered if additional symptoms warrant them.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms during and after service are consistent with the diagnosis of OSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, sleep apnea, right knee disability, and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the right shoulder have been denied. The Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran does not currently meet the criteria for service connection as his left ear hearing loss is not shown by VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence of a current disability during or proximate to the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's audiometric examination at separation showed normal hearing in both ears.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was also denied due to lack of service connection for diabetes mellitus, and the Board found that the Veteran did not present competent medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Veteran's hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including alcohol use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptoms disorder and depressive disorder), lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow, left wrist pain with carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist pain with carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, tension headaches, and chronic bronchitis have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was not manifest during service and is not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of sufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and supraventricular and atrial tachycardia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically obesity which was caused by his service-connected bilateral foot, right knee, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for narcolepsy, service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) as secondary to service-connected narcolepsy, and service connection for a disability manifested by reflux as secondary to service-connected narcolepsy.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his military service or his service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because the representative withdrew the claim before a hearing could be held.

The Veteran's appeal is about whether he should be granted a separate compensable rating for his chronic cough disability, which is distinct from his service-connected respiratory disabilities. The Board finds that the VA did not properly address this issue and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran has a separate chronic cough disability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating of 60 percent was not warranted based on the evidence showing use of a CPAP machine but no chronic respiratory failure or tracheostomy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea claim. The case will be returned for further examination and a new opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because the NOD was not filed within one year of the February 2018 rating decision, which is a procedural defect under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for further development.,No new or material evidence has been submitted, and the issues remain unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected somatic symptom disorder and grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and arrhythmia due to a procedural defect.