Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted.,The claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus type 2 and Kidney disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and sleep apnea for further development, including obtaining opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected disabilities or obesity.

An earlier effective date of July 22, 2013, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and assignment of a 10 percent rating is granted.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.,From December 12, 2023, a 20 percent disability rating for service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was denied, and his request for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status was also denied.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel and left wrist carpal tunnel have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease, has also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with left leg radiculopathy, a skin condition other than acne (eczema, atopic dermatitis, corns and calluses), a left hip condition, residuals of vasectomy, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with left leg radiculopathy, a skin condition other than acne (eczema, atopic dermatitis, corns and calluses), a left hip condition, residuals of vasectomy, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a present disability stemming from active duty or qualifying periods of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected traumatic brain injury with unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disability, right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, scoliosis, lumbosacral strain, COPD, and asthma. The appeals are dismissed due to lack of a current disability for right hand disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The other conditions (headaches, sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, and back condition) are denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the inadequacy of the November 2024 VA examination. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected right knee conditions is being remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination that did not address whether the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder causes or aggravates his OSA. The VA must provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea with asthma is granted, and his initial disability rating from August 1, 2011, through July 30, 2014, is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right elbow condition, right ankle condition, low back disability (lumbosacral degenerative joint disease), left knee disability, and left ankle disability have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need additional medical opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's sleep disability during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and right wrist sprain due to inadequate examinations in previous VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal for rating increases in multiple conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and opioid use disorder.

The Veteran's Bell's Palsy, Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Hypertension, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Glaucoma, and Low Back Arthritis were denied as they did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and the evidence does not show that his disabilities are related to or may be associated with service.,The Veteran's low back arthritis was denied as there is no indication of an association between the disability claimed by the veteran and his active duty service.