Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The appellant's PTSD is granted with a 70% rating from February 22, 2022 to July 1, 2020. The effective date for this grant of service connection is March 13, 2018.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for sleep apnea, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was denied as the claim had been adjudicated and granted in a November 2022 rating decision, which set the effective date at August 19, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected chronic urticaria caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal issues, including IBS and diverticulosis. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and tinnitus, have caused him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has found that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 13, 2017, for the increased rating of PTSD is granted.,The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot due to his current 100% disability rating.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 4, 2011 for the Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral IVDS.

The Veteran's initial claim for migraine including migraine variants and tension was granted with an effective date of October 8, 2019. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 100 percent since March 25, 2024. Service connection for low back disability, OSA, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, and radiculopathy was granted with an effective date of March 25, 2024. The Veteran's TDIU, SMC, and DEA claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for headaches, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted with an effective date of March 30, 2022.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not associated with his service-connected PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for GERD was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, specifically failing to address whether the Veteran's service-connected shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and/or chronic sinusitis aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's OSA may be related to service, but a VA examination is needed to determine this relationship and whether it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition is denied. The claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder (psychiatric disability) are granted, as they are secondary to the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to missing service treatment records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being obtained, which may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of cervical strain, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to obesity resulting from his service-connected disabilities.