Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of lumbosacral strain did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disability, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of right knee degenerative joint disease did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and cause of the Veteran's OSA. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for asthma and OSA were withdrawn, and the Board dismissed these issues in its February 2025 decision.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the claims file after a statement of the case was issued, and thus the appeal must be remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding direct service connection for sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or any other condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, trapezius strain of the left shoulder, PIP strain of the ring finger of the right hand, lumbosacral strain, and IT band syndrome of the right knee. The appeal is granted in full.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the Board finds that his OSA onset in service and there is a nexus between his service and his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for atrophic vaginal mucosa, grade 1 cystocele, sling erosion, and female sexual arousal disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic urinary incontinence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for prostate condition, sleep disorder (other than OSA), and increased ratings for various conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an adequate VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, particularly in relation to limited range of motion and associated functional impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to various duty-to-assist errors and incomplete opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, including associated medication use. The OSA is also linked to exposure to environmental hazards in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have been granted increased ratings, but the spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.,The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected spine disability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraines is granted at 50 percent. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the initial decision denying service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is incorrect and remands the case to allow for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for nasal cancer, finding that it was not clear and unmistakable error to deny the claim based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma was not clearly identified at the time of the April 2014 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease as secondary to OSA. The evidence supports the conclusion that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.