Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and IVDS, along with left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's GERD, heart disease, and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected Parkinson's disease. The Board is remanding the claims for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning the service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a failure to properly notify him of scheduled VA examinations. The RO is instructed to provide proper notification and schedule the Veteran for necessary medical examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the issue.,Service connection for a sinus condition is denied as there is no separate current diagnosis and it is related to already service-connected allergic rhinitis.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder disability is granted as the condition had its onset in service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bilateral hip disability is denied due to lack of current diagnosis, despite the Veteran's complaints.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted based on a history of combat stressors and current symptoms consistent with PTSD criteria.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted as service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's appeals for diabetes and sleep apnea were dismissed due to his death before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with associated left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities render him unemployable, allowing for a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, diabetes as secondary to degenerative disc disease, hypertension as secondary to degenerative disc disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to degenerative disc disease. The left ankle disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, temporomandibular joint syndrome with bruxism (TMJ), and cervical myofascial pain. The remand requires an updated VA examination to address the Veteran's scholarly material and the effects of medications on his enlarged prostate.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a medical opinion from an appropriate clinician to determine if the Veteran's current sleep apnea is causally related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he is not in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that while the Veteran requires some help with daily activities, he does not meet the criteria for needing regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 21, 2023, for the grant of service connection for Sleep Apnea (OSA) is denied. The Board found that the date of entitlement arose predates the date of claim and thus, no earlier effective date can be assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleeping disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not establish a clear link between her PTSD and her diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea and a separate rating for vertigo related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea has been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent disabled for obstructive sleep apnea, as he does not manifest chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, nor does it require a tracheostomy. A separate rating of 10 percent disabled for vertigo related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn may have contributed to OSA. The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for mixed obstructive and central sleep apnea. The evidence is at least balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition had its onset in service, and reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for plantar fasciitis, an effective date prior to November 1, 2023 for service-connected migraines, and an effective date prior to November 1, 2023 for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea as they were already on appeal before the Board.