Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right ankle disability, diagnosed as tendonitis, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted service connection. The Board notes that the evidence does not specify a particular type of exposure basis for this condition.,Service connection for cervical spine disability and lower back disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for bilateral toe disability (claimed as residuals from bilateral great toes surgery) is remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for left ankle disability and right knee disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates prior to July 25, 2022.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has withdrawn the claim of service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, neoplasm of the kidney with kidney removal, and bradycardia (bradyarrhythmia) with atrial fibrillation and left ventricular dilatation.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cervical Spine Disability, Degenerative Arthritis. The OSA is related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and GERD, while the cervical spine disability is linked to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, acne, tinea pedis with calluses, eczema antecubital areas of both arms, and GERD are all rated at the minimum levels. The Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is not rated higher than 50 percent. Pseudofolliculitis barbae, left knee strain, and right knee strain have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral plantar fasciitis, headaches, and sleep apnea for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by presumptive exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 26, 2019 for the grants of service connection for PTSD with panic attacks, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has vacated the portion of its October 8, 2025 decision that denied service connection for sleep apnea due to an inextricably intertwined issue with the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further action on both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma disorder.

The appeal for service connection for a neurological disability, to include stroke residuals, thrombosis, TIA, and/or cerebral infarction, is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, diagnosed as sleep disturbance with persistent daytime hypersomnolence, is dismissed.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and right knee strain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was currently assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms manifested in service and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, including diabetes mellitus type II, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral gout of the feet. The lumbar spine disability rating has also been restored to 20%. However, entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypothyroidism, chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative lumbosacral arthritis and a TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examinations and raised issues that need further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist and obtain adequate VA examinations and opinions addressing whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is directly incurred during her service or is secondary to her PTSD.