Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including back, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and obstructive sleep apnea were granted with effective dates of January 11, 2011, and December 23, 2009, respectively. The grants are based on the receipt of new and relevant service records that established exposure to herbicide agents during active service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service and that there is no evidence of pre-service existence or aggravation during service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and the need to consider participation in TERA under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent, effective August 13, 2024. Other claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for his spouse, finding that she did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a) due to her ability to leave the house with assistance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no credible evidence of any in-service injury or persistent symptoms since service.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including refractive errors and age-related cataracts, is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for a disease or injury under VA compensation laws. The Veteran's current eye conditions are attributed to his pre-service refractive errors.,Service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied because there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service and the condition did not manifest in service.

The Veteran's application for enrollment in the PCAFC was denied because he passed away before eligibility could be determined and finalized, making it impossible to enroll him in the program.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and bilateral ankle tendonitis are alleged to be related to his current back and knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, unspecified headaches, and OSA. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) on a secondary basis due to his service-connected PTSD, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer, vitamin D deficiency, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal on both issues of service connection for a mental health condition and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and are related to his current condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.,Service connection for OSA and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied, with no evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant was denied as they do not meet the criteria based on their service-connected disabilities.