Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and persisted after separation, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's VA treatment records show that he required regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic valley fever fungus residuals, PTSD with associated mood/affective disorder, sleep apnea, and multiple peripheral neuropathies. The Board granted the claim for an earlier effective date of April 11, 2023, for the award of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to June 5, 2024.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 17, 2020 for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that this claim was effectively filed in March 2020 when the Veteran submitted a supplemental application with supporting documents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's recurrent lumbosacral spine disability is related to his service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities. The VA will need to schedule a new examination to determine this relationship.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's OSA is related to his active military service, exposure at Camp Lejeune, and obesity as an intermediate step. Further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for genitourinary system disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) since these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied all increased rating claims for various service-connected conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction (ED), bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus (DM).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to symptoms consistent with the current 70 percent evaluation. The lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has determined this to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder manifested by grinding teeth and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the medical evidence did not support a secondary relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and migraine headaches have been granted service connection, while the claim for furuncle/pilonidal disease is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service connection claims for atrial fibrillation and obstructive sleep apnea with central sleep apnea are granted, as the latter is found to be secondary to his service-connected ulcerative colitis with history of proctitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis, bilateral shin splints, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete VA examination records and failure to provide adequate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, a left knee condition, a right elbow condition, asthma with chest pain, map dot fingerprint dystrophy, and heat stroke residuals due to potential exposure to burn pits during military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and postoperative left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on his claims of service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service and remands for further examination.

The Veteran's OSA began in service and the Board has granted his claim for service connection.