Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and requires remand to obtain a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder worsens or aggravates his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The RO must also generate a TERA memorandum and ensure all necessary development, including obtaining the complete military personnel file and any in-service TERA participation records, is completed.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to asbestos exposure. The case is now pending with instructions for obtaining an examination and opinion on the etiology of OSA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, headache disability, OSA, and PTSD due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a sinus condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection, as well as potential impact of toxic exposure risk activities. The Veteran's OSA is being evaluated for its onset in or relation to service, synergistic effect of TERAs, and relationship with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date, higher ratings, and TDIU due to a duty-to-assist error involving missing VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant private treatment records and provide new VA medical opinions addressing service connection and secondary service connection.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's OSA is rated at a 50 percent since October 2, 2024. The evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran required use of a breathing assistance device such as CPAP machine for his OSA.

The Board denied a compensable rating for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing PTSD did not cause or aggravate his mild sleep apnea. The medical evidence showed no worsening of sleep apnea due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings are dismissed due to untimely filing of his Notice of Disagreement. The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, rating determinations, and other claims.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has not been established, as he can use assistive devices to dress himself and maintain cleanliness of appearance.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches (to include migraines), and a cervical spine disability. The claims are being remanded to the AOJ for further development.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to epilepsy, generalized tonic convulsions (previously shown as seizure disorder, NOS), with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 5, 2019, for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), tinnitus, and a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the failure to obtain a TERA opinion, as his service in Southwest Asia aboard ship was of record at the time of the September 2024 VA memorandum.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knees, and LEFT ankle strain prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has restored a 20% rating for the Veteran's low back condition, effective September 24, 2024. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, shoulder disability, spine disability, back injury, hip disability, foot disability, cataracts, heart issues, prostate cancer, and sleep apnea were not shown to have begun during service or be related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's right knee disability was also not shown to have begun during service or be related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.