Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's application for PCAFC was denied due to a lack of personal care services. The Board finds the CEAT review inadequate and remands for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) due to errors in the duty to assist. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with new medical opinions addressing the onset and relationship of his conditions to service, including any aggravation by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity requiring regular aid and attendance, and the Board has granted SMC effective March 17, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's right hip condition caused his obesity and weight gain, which in turn led to his sleep apnea. The benefit of doubt is applied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and a heart condition due to potential duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from his Reserve period of service and private providers.

The Veteran's recurrent sleep disability, including obstructive sleep apnea, was not shown during active service or for many years thereafter. The diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea has not been shown to have originated during or be otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted service connection for any conditions, but his migraine headaches and neuropathy were found to be related to his service-connected lumbar strain with mild lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease have all been rated at 20 percent since August 8, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA, which failed to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and injuries in service. The claims for left wrist condition including fracture, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residuals of prostate cancer are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back injury, characterized as lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis, began during his active-duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a left shoulder condition due to potential exposure to asbestos during military service. The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is related to the PACT Act, which requires VA to provide an examination and medical opinion regarding the possibility of a nexus between the disability and the TERA (toxic exposure risk activity). For the left shoulder condition, the Board found that a physical trauma occurred in service but determined that an exception applies due to the nature of the claim. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on all issues related to PTSD, sleep apnea, and an increased rating for anxiety disorder due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran's status post myocardial infarction and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic injuries.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that it began in or was related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no persuasive evidence linking the current condition to service. The Board finds the June 2024 VA examination report most probative.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied, as there is no persuasive evidence that it began in or was related to service. The September 2024 VA examiner's opinion is considered more persuasive than the Veteran's assertions.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is remanded due to incomplete examination report and need for further investigation into the etiology of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of right foot injury (including fifth toe fracture and calcaneal spur), and sleep apnea. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding the claim for service connection for a right side sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea due to deficiencies in the record. The claim for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, finding conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as it was caused and/or aggravated by his other service-connected disabilities, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.,ED remains denied as there is no additional impairment or symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and service connection for IBS, bilateral foot pain, a bilateral hip condition, neck strain, and sleep disturbances is dismissed as untimely.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, GERD, and OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The evidence is in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to his service-connected condition.