Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his OSA was incurred in or related to an in-service event and if so, whether it is secondary to a service-connected condition. The AOJ must obtain further medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Irritable Bowel Syndrome have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 30% for his IBS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected asthma is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the prior VA examination and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected chronic sinusitis associated with deviated septum s/p septoplasty, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of May 13, 2025. The Board found that the claim had been continuously pursued since February 4, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2025. The Board granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective October 1, 2023.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will schedule the Veteran for a VA sleep apnea examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the conditions are due to or resulted from the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left ankle strain, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his back disability from 40% to 20%, effective December 1, 2025, as the reduction was improper and void ab initio.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC was denied as his need for aid and attendance is already covered by the current rate, and he does not meet criteria for additional rates based on blindness or loss of use.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as it is related to service-connected maxillary/frontal sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically regarding the Veteran's reported toxic exposure risk activities (TERA). The AOJ is instructed to investigate and confirm these TERA, and then schedule the Veteran for new examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and type II diabetes mellitus, both secondary to the Veteran's obesity caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder strain as secondary to a right shoulder strain and for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to allergic rhinitis. The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others not.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD with major depression and sleep impairment, is granted. However, the claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no clinical diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain effective from August 1, 2014, the first day of the month following the Veteran's discharge from active duty.