Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected thyroid disability is now rated at 10% for dysphagia and aphonia of the left ninth cranial nerve, effective September 17, 2024. The claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea effective July 6, 2024.,The Veteran's Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status was also granted effective July 6, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on February 10, 2025 is dismissed as it was a duplicate of an existing appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination regarding various service-connected conditions, including left knee, shoulder, hip, ED, OSA, skin condition (dystrophic toenails), and lung condition (COPD). The effective date of service connection remains August 16, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent right hip injury residuals with osteoarthritis, recurrent left hip injury residuals including osteoarthritis and total hip replacement residuals, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral spine osteoarthritis. The diagnoses are related to the Veteran's in-service aircraft accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tension headaches are not etiologically related to his military service, secondary to a service-connected disability, or due to toxic exposure. The medical evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 15, 2018, in excess of 20 percent prior to August 4, 2025, and a rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating prior to July 15, 2019 and a 40 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted a 40 percent rating.

The appeal for service connection of a neurological disorder of the left lower extremity is dismissed as it has been granted by the RO.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to right knee degenerative arthritis and obesity is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as the Veteran's current disability began during his service and has continued since, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain were granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy, as well as his claim for service connection for a left knee condition, are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in the past.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of May 30, 2024.,The appeals for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were dismissed as they have already been granted in full.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for Bilateral Shin Splints.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his reports of flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder (psychiatric disability) aggravates his current obstructive sleep apnea disability, warranting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, insomnia disorder, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain, labyrinthitis with paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. The AOJ must obtain new medical opinions addressing these theories.