Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided were inadequate for addressing the nexus or etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Therefore, a new VA medical opinion is needed to correct this pre-decisional error.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The AOJ will consider additional evidence and obtain new or addendum opinions addressing exposure to toxic substances during service, as well as whether OSA is caused by COPD and asthma.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.,Both left ankle sprain with Achilles tendon rupture and tendonitis, and right ankle sprain with tendonitis are granted.

The Board denied a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 5, 2022, for the awards of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea as it lacks sufficient medical evidence to make a determination. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action, including obtaining additional medical opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus.,The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with DDD and spondylosis, right knee sprain with residual mild chronic tendonitis and early osteoarthritis, and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities, but has remanded the claims for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, finding insufficient evidence to support a direct relationship between his in-service experiences and his current condition. The Board also found no secondary service connection due to obesity from his cervical spine disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of tinnitus due to untimely submission. The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted as service connected, and the case is remanded for a new examination to determine the appropriate disability rating for his respiratory condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for right leg pain, as there was insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) manifested during military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's petition to readjudicate the claim for service connection for diabetes based on new and relevant evidence is granted. The claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is found to be a contributing factor in his currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance, and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for OSA, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner's opinions are inadequate and a new addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left hip disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to address his contentions of direct service connection, as well as secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hypertension, finding that his sleep functionality is impaired due to these conditions.