Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and his obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran asserts that his OSA is secondary to obesity caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings, TDIU, and DEA benefits due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability prior to August 21, 2024.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected unspecified trauma disorder, and the claim for this connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and has been granted.,The Veteran's kidney cancer and residuals are related to his military service and have been granted.,The Veteran's COPD is related to his military service, specifically exposure to toxic substances like TCDD and asbestos. The claim for COPD remains pending due to the need for a remand.,The Veteran's OSA is related to his military service, specifically exposure to toxic substances like TCDD and asbestos. The claim for OSA remains pending due to the need for a remand.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

Service connection is granted for a skin disability, including chronic urticaria, cellulitis with dermatitis, and psoriasis.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for asthma.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for kidney stones.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, and left ear injury are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear was granted a separate 20 percent rating.,An initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for depressive disorder was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST) and remanded the claims for HIV-related illness, hypertension, left knee replacement, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and a compensable rating for chronic rhinitis are denied. The claim for a disability rating of 20 percent for service-connected dry eye syndrome is granted, but the Board has remanded his claim seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain necessary medical examinations for all issues on appeal and thus, remanded these cases.

The Veteran's liposarcoma, residual surgical scar status post liposarcoma resection, right lower extremity is rated at a noncompensable level (0%) and has been granted an initial evaluation of 10%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied GERD and low back disability claims, but granted a higher rating of 10% for right knee PFPS from July 26, 2017.

The Board has found that an earlier effective date for the 50% rating for tension headaches is denied, and the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) is denied. The claims for service connection of Uterine Leiomyoma and Sleep Apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination regarding his back condition, right shoulder condition, right ankle condition, migraine headaches, and urinary frequency. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and because of PACT Act requirements for service connection based on toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was incurred during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, back, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's hypertension is also found to be related to service.