Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as it is directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and left-hand condition, but has remanded the claims of service connection for rib disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's appeal for the evaluation of his service-connected left ankle scar and abdominal scar is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and cervical strain have been denied. The evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current 10 percent evaluations.,The VA examiner found no limitation of motion or other functional impairment that would warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis are rated at 40 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to a concurrent election under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The issues were docketed in error as the AOJ was still reviewing them.

The Veteran's request for additional VR&E equipment purchases and other services under a program of independent living services, including a riding lawnmower, power tools, attending school far from home, childcare, and a vehicle, was denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The Board has ordered further development to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 2, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions including left shoulder, arm, ankle, and right ankle disorders, as well as obstructive sleep apnea and loss of eyesight (cancerous).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The issues remain on appeal as they have not been finally decided.

The Board has remanded the claims for hand tremors, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome due to potential service connection based on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his active service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for OSA, but a VA examiner found it less likely than not that the condition was incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder, granting service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis is granted.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) had its onset during active duty service and granted service connection for OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip and lower back conditions, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active-duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and lumbosacral sprain/strain and spondylosis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and tendonitis.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA with respiratory subcarinal lymph node enlargement and calcifications is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to lack of evidence supporting chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy or persistent symptoms such as fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to an allowance for an automobile and/or other conveyance or adaptive equipment.