Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected rhinitis and other conditions. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's obesity as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for SMC purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypogonadism, with erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted effective October 7, 2014.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is granted as service connected because the condition was incurred during active duty and there is a link between the in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with cannabis use disorder is found to have caused his OSA, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, the rating for his PTSD prior to October 21, 2019, remains at 70% as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder was granted, effective August 4, 2023.,Effective dates prior to January 18, 2023, were denied for lumbosacral strain, bilateral hip strain, and supraventricular arrhythmia. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension was granted effective August 23, 2019, but no earlier.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted effective March 21, 2019.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore, the claim for cause of death is denied. The claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 also fails as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for total disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected asthma and other disabilities, has been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board will consider the evidence of record as of the April 2025 rating decision on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed because the AOJ had already completed a higher-level review and denied the claim, creating a prohibited concurrent election of review options.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and requires an updated medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including its relation to his service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, boxer's fracture left 5th metacarpal, or left ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic diarrhea, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The appeal of the deferred issue of a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected OSA is dismissed.,The appeal of an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination reports, and a new evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service-connected disabilities or any obesity associated with those conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for OSA, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition due to potential errors in duty-to-assist obligations. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to service exposure or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as an increased rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected cervical strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is due to or caused by his service-connected psychiatric disability with obesity as an intermediary step.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is found to be the cause of his sleep apnea, and therefore, he is granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.