Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for initial rating in excess of 10 percent for maxillary sinusitis, fatigue including CFS, OSA and IBS are remanded as there were duty-to-assist errors prior to the decisions on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, OSA, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The decision finds that there is at least an even balance of evidence supporting this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran received a 10 percent rating for his psychiatric disability prior to September 23, 2025 and the issue of remanding for increased ratings on several other conditions is noted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted in a June 2025 rating decision, effective February 1, 2024. The appeal is dismissed as no additional benefit can be gained and there is no controversy remaining.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar disorder and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic back pain and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The effective date of service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted as October 9, 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and/or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and bilateral ankle disabilities. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot). The Veteran contends that he is entitled to this benefit due to constant boot wearing, rucking, and overall mission requirements during his service.

The Veteran's low back strain is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that her current condition began in service and has continued since.,The Veteran's OSA is also granted as secondary to her service-connected tinnitus. The Board found a causal link between the two conditions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability and grants of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, both effective June 21, 2024.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examination relied upon to deny service connection for sleep apnea is inadequate and remands the case for an addendum opinion addressing causation, secondary service connection, and aggravation.

The Veteran's fungal condition and lumbosacral strain were denied service connection, with the fungal condition finding no current disability related to service. The lumbosacral strain was also denied as not meeting criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claim will be returned for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of miscarriage and child loss (menstrual disorders) is granted. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and bilateral eye condition are denied. Arthritis and sleep apnea claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to burn pits during deployment. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis, back disability, and sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The GERD claim is also remanded as there are no medical nexus opinions in the file.