Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's tinea pedis has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The Board has identified pre-decisional duty to assist errors for the remaining issues and has ordered remand for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a need to determine its etiology, including considering potential toxic exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for dermatophytosis, obstructive sleep apnea, right lateral collateral ligament sprain, fatigue (undiagnosed illness), rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis have been denied.,For dermatophytosis, the earliest date of record is June 1, 2023.,For obstructive sleep apnea, the earliest date of record is April 27, 2017.,For right lateral collateral ligament sprain, the earliest date of record is June 5, 2023.,For fatigue (undiagnosed illness), the earliest date of record is April 13, 2017.,For rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, the earliest date of record is August 10, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that her current diagnosis and in-service complaints support this conclusion.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to another medical condition with mixed features is granted a rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and somatic symptom disorder are all granted.,Service connection for pain of lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU from April 12, 2016 to March 22, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The claims will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are dismissed. The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities due to joint pain. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for insomnia disorder with traumatic brain injury was denied. The Board found that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial increased disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to April 26, 2017 was denied.,A separate disability rating of 50 percent for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected CAD is granted since September 10, 2015.,From November 1, 2017 to March 10, 2024, a separate, non-compensable disability rating for chronic kidney disease (CKD) as secondary to service-connected CAD is granted.,Since March 11, 2024, a separate, 30 percent disability rating for CKD as secondary to service-connected CAD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa, finding no evidence of a nexus to active service.

The appeal for service connection for low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as moot. The appeals for service connection for piriformis syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), and limitation of motion of the right hand fourth metacarpal are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during active service or are not related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for various joint disabilities are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requires an opinion regarding the etiology of OSA, including consideration of toxic exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder is granted, effective October 24, 2021. The effective date for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than service-connected bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder and a headache disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to her service-connected persistent mood disorder, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and bilateral ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain. The decision is based on a private medical opinion that associates the Veteran's obesity with her service-connected disabilities, which in turn caused her sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to aggravate his current Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), warranting service connection on a secondary basis.