Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for OSA due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination opinion. The Veteran's testimony at the hearing supports his contention that his OSA may be related to service, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and OSA are not related to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for service connection are therefore remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The claim will be reviewed with a new medical examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ must obtain addendum opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to their secondary nature to service-connected conditions. The Veteran's assertions regarding personal assault stressors are also under review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service. The AOJ must obtain and consider additional medical opinions, including those addressing a direct theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims for left hip sprain, lower back strain (also claimed as lumbosacral strain), right shin splints, and tinnitus was dismissed because the Veteran did not provide a clear intention to appeal these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and left hip disability. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, but has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and COPD due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee disability, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to untimely filings.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failure to notify the appellant of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as it was untimely and improperly filed.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is denied as it predates his Intent to File. The April 2015 rating decision, which granted right shoulder traumatic arthritis with a 10% rating, was not found to be the result of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for sleep apnea has been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's lumbosacral back strain with IVDS, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and lumbosacral strain have been granted service connection. The Board also remanded the claims for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred during active duty and is not otherwise related to military service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The character of discharge determination is also required.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the claim for service connection has been granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, CAD, GERD, kidney disease, sarcoidosis, and OSA are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.