Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain is denied, and his right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis (dominant) is granted at a 30 percent rating. The ratings for RLE radiculopathy are denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for left knee meniscal tear from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating. The right knee disability and low back disorder issues are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in August 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis was remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for OSA with coughing, effective from November 7, 2023, is granted. The appeal regarding a higher rating and the effective date for service connection are both denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,The Board has not assigned a specific rating or effective date as the claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, dizziness, scratchy throat, and shortness of breath have been dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, prostate cancer, dry eye syndrome, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an effective date prior to August 10, 2022 for his service connection for asthma. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current sleep apnea to his military service or service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of specific issues by his representative.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it resulted from in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis and allergies, finding a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic sinusitis due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring additional VA examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions as they are not yet fully developed.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision is inadequate and requires further examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, including consideration of secondary service connection due to PTSD-anxiety disorder and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disease, as well as obesity.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its inception in service and is not causally related to an in-service disease or injury. The private opinion submitted by Ms. Meulstee was deemed insufficient due to a misinterpretation of medical literature.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is a continuation of severe sleep apnea diagnosed during active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, type II diabetes, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and sleep apnea as they have become service-connected in other rating decisions.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to active duty service and concluded that obesity was more likely the cause of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and mouth injury have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection has not been established for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, cervical spine, or OSA due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.