Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left ankle surgical scars has been denied. The claims for service connection of GERD and OSA, secondary to PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction has been resolved in full; the appeal is dismissed. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) due to potential exposure to burn pits during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to MDD due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's migraines are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, and the Board found no current diagnosis of a migraine condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his PTSD and has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and new opinions are needed regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, and respiratory disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain a medical examination and opinion, as well as other potential errors in the initial decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that his current back condition is related to an in-service injury sustained while serving on active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD, pes planus, and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding its relationship to the Veteran's in-service toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's OSA is remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of the relationship between his service-connected conditions and OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new adequate opinions from appropriate clinicians.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and persistence of the condition, granting service connection. However, the claim for OSA is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding potential TERA exposure.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,Right shoulder degenerative arthritis and cervical strain claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and depression have been granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from January 21, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions on direct and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to HIV-related illness. The AOJ is required to obtain additional VA treatment records from 1991-1996 and provide an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep issues during service, his HIV-related illness, and his current obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, prostate condition, sleep apnea, vertigo, hypertension, back condition, shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, and ankle/foot conditions. The reasons provided are that the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis and lumbosacral strain with L1-L2 spondylosis were denied. The Veteran was previously rated at 30 percent for tinea pedis and 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, but the Board found that these ratings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected temporomandibular joint disorder, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, including on a secondary basis, for GERD, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, venous stasis, left knee disorder, right and left knee disorders, and right hip disorder must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The effective dates for these grants of service connection will also be remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear with degenerative arthritis could have manifested during service, within one year of service, or be otherwise related to service. The remanded opinion will determine this.