Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA may be related to his service-connected disabilities and remands for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, right knee pain, sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, blurry vision, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left shoulder rotator cuff, and right shoulder rotator cuff have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the Board finds that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, blurry vision, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left shoulder rotator cuff, and right shoulder rotator cuff have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for fine hand tremors and sleep apnea have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy. The Board finds that these conditions are of a nature and severity that rendered the Veteran unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected tinnitus, as well as whether it is aggravated by his service-connected insomnia disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective June 8, 2023, due to his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder.,The Veteran is also entitled to SMC based on housebound from June 8, 2023, as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable above 60%.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and vertebral fracture, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, are being remanded due to a failure to consider private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and major depressive disorder, recurrent with anxious distress, aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not etiologically related to service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea. The claim will be further developed and a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran suffers from sleep apnea and whether it is related to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with pure dysthymic syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA must provide a new opinion addressing whether OSA was caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to PTSD, insomnia as secondary to PTSD, asthma, erectile dysfunction, and migraine.,The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for right knee instability as secondary to bilateral pes planus and lumbosacral strain as secondary to patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendinitis, left knee.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (Aid and Attendance) was denied because he did not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for SMC (Housebound Status) was also denied as he did not have a single 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to a lack of adequate medical opinion at the time of the January 2025 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), right knee disability, and cervical spine disorder was granted with effective dates of June 9, 2023.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to service connection, rating of low back disability, and hearing loss. The Veteran's request for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it had its onset during his military service.