Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board found new and relevant evidence did not support reopening the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain, but acknowledged that the Veteran had current disabilities of these conditions. The decision is mixed as it denied one claim (bilateral plantar fasciitis) and granted another (lumbosacral strain).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active military service.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for obstructive sleep apnea from November 7, 2017, to March 21, 2019, as the evidence did not indicate that the Veteran required a CPAP machine.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, but dismissed the claims for a compensable disability rating for chronic kidney disease and service connection for uncontrolled weight gain due to withdrawal of these claims by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically her left lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in the permanent loss of use of her left foot for the purposes of establishing eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. As such, she is granted this benefit.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The back and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and secondary service connection for Depressive Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to March 20, 2024, is dismissed. The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to March 20, 2024, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to perform most activities of daily living independently despite some limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain due to inadequate opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis and left shoulder disability, respectively. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to address causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment effective June 29, 2019. The Board granted the TDIU based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Veteran's OSA and DM II are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, thyroid condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is also being remanded as there are no medical opinions addressing whether it was aggravated by service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for hypertension as moot due to its grant in a previous decision. The claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability, lung disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and facial scar are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in determining service connection for a head injury, diagnosed as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes cavus with hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and lumbosacral scoliosis and IVDS are denied due to lack of earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's OSA and his toxic exposures, including herbicide exposure. The Veteran is seeking service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to a clear and unmistakable error in severing it from his service record.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to pain, weakness, or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis but has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of medical opinion addressing its secondary nature.