Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his sleep apnea, and therefore grants service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to a single disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he had a single service-connected disability that rendered him unable to work. The issue of an effective date prior to July 15, 2009, for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's OSA and hypertension claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing causation, aggravation, and exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded his claims for rating increases for left and right knee disorders.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for Sleep Apnea (OSA) is remanded due to a failure to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes and sleep apnea due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing before the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as the Veteran's symptoms, including loud snoring and excessive fatigue, were present in service and are at least as likely as not due to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to a duty to assist error in the November 2024 VA medical opinion. The Board requires an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to determine if the condition had onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is remanded for an adequate medical decision regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and denied his claim for service connection. The claims for lumbosacral strain and left ankle sprain are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to a lack of medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of PTSD, traumatic brain injury, thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disabilities, and obesity.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal request was denied, and the attempted appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was dismissed. The decision also found that OSA is not related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in the VA examination, specifically regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his current OSA condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his right knee disability, with obesity as an intermediate step. The VA medical opinions found no direct or proximate relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and night terrors. The grant is based on the aggravation of a service-connected psychiatric disability, while the denials are due to lack of evidence supporting separate diagnoses.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the claims for service connection of cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, requiring additional development including obtaining STRs from Fort Hood and a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, deviated septum, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to untimely filing. The Board has not considered the evidence regarding these claims as they are outside of their jurisdiction.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted effective March 6, 2020.,Her migraines are granted a 50% rating effective April 25, 2019.