Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to bilateral hearing loss. The appeals for service connection for other conditions are remanded due to failure of the VA to provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his service and is granted as a direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to have worsened his GERD, allowing for service connection. However, the OSA is not considered secondary to the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cystic kidney disease is granted with a 30 percent rating, effective August 9, 2023. The Veteran's left knee disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and sleep apnea are denied. Polycythemia is granted with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is found to cause his gastroesophageal reflux disease, and the Board grants service connection for GERD.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU based on depression alone and SMC, as his MFR was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of adequate explanation in the VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran requires personal care services based on the criteria listed in 38 U.S.C. § 1720G(a)(2)(C) and 38 C.F.R. § 71.20(a)(3).

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's current condition is directly related to his military service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a compensable disability rating for hematuria due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is set to March 11, 2021. He was granted a higher level of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) at level (n).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, finding that his symptoms began during active duty and have persisted since then.

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

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for residuals of lumbar strain, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, bilateral ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The new evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's Nose Fracture with Deviated Nasal Septum prior to January 10, 2022.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the May 2024 rating decision warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for OSA. The appeal is now remanded to determine if the current OSA is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability and bilateral eye disability due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current sleep apnea is granted, but his bilateral foot and eye disabilities are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's asthma is related to his service under the PACT Act, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of OSA during service or a nexus between current OSA and service. The Veteran's claim for OSA is denied.,GERD was not found to be related to service, as there are no in-service complaints or treatment records. The Veteran's claim for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for left knee strain, right knee injury, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain to include degenerative disc disease and IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and tension headaches have been granted effective October 9, 2023.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date were denied as the appropriate effective date is October 9, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining relevant VA treatment records and medical opinions.