Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have first manifested during his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a back disability did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or are due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current sleep apnea and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and evidence. The AOJ is required to obtain additional VA medical opinions and consider any relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease (CAD), and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The CAD claim is being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use assistive devices and his ability to independently ambulate.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for further adjudication, including determining whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PCAFC eligibility and if he requires personal care services.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 11, 2022 for service connection of heart disability, OSA, and hypertension. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's exposure to toxic materials consistent with his duties as a machinery repairman during active naval service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology and relationship of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea to his service, particularly related to toxic exposures during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 9, 2019 to May 16, 2021. From May 17, 2021, the claim is denied as moot due to his entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the proper adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, and thus remands the case.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional error in the June 2020 rating decision regarding the service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disability of residual temporomandibular articulation with degenerative arthritis status post multiple reconstructive surgeries of the temporal mandibular joint. The case is being remanded to obtain a new nexus opinion from an appropriately situated VA clinician that addresses whether the sleep apnea condition was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his temporomandibular joint condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, IVDS, and spinal stenosis. The claims of cervical spine degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, s/p anterior cervical fusion; left arm radiculopathy as secondary to cervical spine condition; and right arm radiculopathy as secondary to cervical spine condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of April 1, 2019.,Service-connected conditions include left and right wrist arthritis, hand conditions, back condition, lower extremity radiculopathy, OSA, and RLS.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is not a causal relationship between his current diagnosis and an in-service injury or disease. The evidence does not support a link to toxic exposure to asbestos, nor does it establish a secondary relationship to service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and initial rating for OSA, as well as his TDIU prior to June 13, 2019, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to any period of active service, including Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, which may be related to his service. The Veteran should have been provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep apnea is linked to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar disorders, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and degenerative disc disease, are considered service-connected as they have been adequately related to his military service.