Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, vertigo, bruxism, lower back condition, migraines, PTSD (to include depression, somatic system disorder), GERD, and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error in obtaining service treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is eligible to receive past-due benefits awarded in a November 27, 2024 rating decision. However, due to an error in not documenting these past-due benefits, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and ischemic cerebrovascular accident are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted on September 23, 2022. The appeal to have the effective date earlier than this date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal condition, intestinal condition, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for lumbosacral strain, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip strain with impairment of thigh, a compensable rating for left hip strain with limitation of flexion, and a compensable rating for left hip strain with limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle tendinitis, right ankle tendinitis, sleep apnea, and both knee conditions are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied because the medical records do not establish continuity of care from service.

Service connection for IBS is granted. The claims for initial increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee meniscal tear, and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's missed medical examinations are due to good cause and has ordered new examinations for his sleep apnea and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder strain and lumbosacral strain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted. The claim for service connection for Headaches is remanded due to a failure to conduct an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA decision denying enrollment in the PCAFC program was not based on a proper application of the law and regulations, specifically regarding the definition of 'supervision, protection, or instruction' under 38 C.F.R. § 71.15. The Board therefore remands the case for further action.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain with thoracic strain is granted. The vision problems claim, related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for sleep apnea is denied, and his request for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with associated left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), due to a lack of clarity in the prior opinions and the need for further development.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disability and allergic rhinitis. The Board finds that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondarily caused by these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.