Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these issues. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional details regarding her reported in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected mental health disability, bipolar disorder with depressed mood and anxiety disorder.

The Board has decided to remand all four issues related to the Veteran's back and nerve conditions due to duty-to-assist errors. Specifically, a new examination is required for functional ankylosis of the spine and for the severity of the radiculopathies.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent from October 20, 1981 to October 28, 2011. Effective May 10, 2008, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection, including for low back disability and its associated conditions. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to errors in the decision-making process regarding her exposure to toxins during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to dress, undress, feed himself, manage his medications, cook, clean, or drive due to his conditions. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of January 24, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran continuously pursued his claim within one year following a decision in July 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, his PTSD, or obesity.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his active-duty service and TERA, but more evidence is needed for a final decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his active service, including as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied in a December 2010 rating decision. The Veteran filed an application to reopen the claim on November 6, 2014, and the Board granted service connection effective from that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will obtain additional opinions on these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and remanded the issues of service connection for depression, anxiety, and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism with hypoparathyroidism status post thyroidectomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain with instability and effusion, right knee strain with instability and effusion, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD with bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder. The decision also denied entitlement to total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, mal de denbarquement syndrome (MDDS), and respiratory disability to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability with obesity acting as an intermediary.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, but has remanded the claims of sleep apnea and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's SMC at the (l) rate is granted, and he is now eligible for a higher level of SMC at the (l) and 12 rate due to his additional disability of obstructive sleep apnea rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck strain and lumbosacral strain with right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).