Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent each, effective as of January 22, 2026.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, neck disability, left arm disability, and left hand disability due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC at the M-rate due to his need for special aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his OSA did not begin during active service and is not related to symptoms noted during active service. The Board also found that it is less likely than not that the OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and liver disorder due to inadequate development of evidence in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to conflicting information regarding the relationship between the Veteran's OSA and his service-connected PTSD, as well as dental treatment in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his psychiatric disability (schizophrenia) is also denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating.

The appeal for service connection of the Veteran's back/lumbar spine disability, neck/cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, urinary frequency, and TMJ/TMD has been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of depression is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a more detailed opinion on whether it was aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and OSA due to PTSD are granted with effective dates of April 14, 2021. The earlier effective date claims for prostatitis, chest scar, tender chest scar, and back scar are dismissed as a matter of law.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that her symptoms had their onset during service and are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's tension headache disorder is granted as it constitutes a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness due to service in the Gulf War.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis disability is remanded due to the lack of sufficient documentation in the claims file regarding a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shin pain, anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence to support that these conditions had their onset during his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being reviewed again for possible service connection based on aggravation of his insomnia disorder.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as there was no evidence showing the condition was caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that there were duty-to-assist errors in the rating decision and remanded orders, specifically regarding the need for a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and migraines. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.