Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals seeking service connection for various disabilities, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and right knee condition aggravated his OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), leading to obesity which in turn caused or aggravated his OSA. Therefore, service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the intermediate rate based on need for aid and attendance with additional service-connected disabilities combining to 50 percent or more is granted. The claims for higher rates of SMC, total schedular ratings for loss of use of both hands and feet are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a headache disability, including as secondary to his PTSD, require additional development due to duty-to-assist errors. The case is being remanded to obtain medical opinions addressing these theories of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tendonitis and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is related to his service, specifically his deployment during active duty from October 2004 to February 2006 and September 2016 to September 2017. As a result, the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea with hypoxia is granted, as the condition was diagnosed within one year of his retirement from active duty and is considered to have started during service.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, but has remanded the issue of direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's OSA to his military service, as well as whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma. The examiner will need to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection, and his low back disability received an increased rating. The lower extremity radiculopathies, right knee disabilities (both conditions), and mental health disorder were denied.

The appeal for chronic reactive airway disease is dismissed. The appeal for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective December 27, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show an increase in severity within one year prior to the date of intent to file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and incomplete toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memorandum. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again with a focus on its relationship to his service, particularly his participation in toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea due to an ambiguity in his dates of service. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence meeting VA criteria for a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral ankles, knees, and lower back as there was no evidence that the conditions were caused or aggravated by active duty service.