Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is caused by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability with depressive disorder.

The Board is remanding the claims for cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors.,The Board is also remanding the claim for obstructive sleep apnea as there was a duty-to-assist error prior to the July 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress is found to have caused or contributed to the development of his Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is granted as secondary.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees related to past-due benefits from the February 2025 grant of service connection and SMC housebound claims.

The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, warranting Tier 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his in-service exposure to toxins, including burn pit exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for a medical opinion considering his in-service exposure to burn pits.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to include claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left leg is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis. The right leg radiculopathy is also granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain are related to an injury during his period of active duty for training (ADT) in 1991, and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied. The decision also found that a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since June 29, 2024, is not warranted, and an earlier effective date than June 29, 2024, for the award of service connection for tinnitus is not granted.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to a lack of evidence showing that his current diagnosis began during service or was related to in-service injury. The Board gave more weight to the VA examiner's opinion which concluded that OSA is not related to toxic exposure risk activities or COPD.,For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his hearing acuity levels were at Level I in both ears.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted, effective May 6, 2024. The Board found that the Veteran's OSA was related to his in-service exposure to organic solvents.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee strain are granted service connection as they began in service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted a 40 percent rating effective November 13, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, and sleep apnea are all granted. Additionally, the Veteran is now eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from August 29, 2006, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DEA) benefits are also granted effective that date.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding insufficient evidence to link the condition to prostate cancer or service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not start in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.