Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including a need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's OSA. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether OSA began during service, was related to in-service toxin exposure, or was caused by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spondylosis was granted service connection. The claims for left and right flat feet were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sinusitis and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error regarding alleged exposure to burn pits during service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with the assistance of verifying his exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on an aggravation basis, but remanded the issue of secondary causation by PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as the potential aggravation of erectile dysfunction by a service-connected condition, are also under review.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a current low back disability or sleep apnea in the record. The Board denied service connection for these conditions as there was no diagnosis during or after service.,The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is related to his active service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.,Service connection for a back disability remains denied.

Service connection is granted for asthma, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left knee condition prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability, lumbosacral strain, or hip strains. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of proper consideration of evidence and duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and sleep apnea (OSA) on the basis that these conditions are related to in-service events, with no presumption or secondary theory of entitlement considered.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct any errors in the evaluation process.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and his initial compensable rating claim for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's OSA symptoms more closely approximated the 50 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal, and his OSA was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD. Therefore, an initial compensable rating of 50 percent is granted.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition did not have its onset during or as a result of his military service.

A disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. An earlier effective date prior to April 5, 2023, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is also denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for left lower extremity nerve condition, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The Board finds the evidence of record establishes that his right ear hearing loss is related to service.,There is no current diagnosis for a left lower extremity nerve condition, lumbar spine disability, or obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection cannot be granted as there are no diagnosed disabilities eligible for VA compensation.,The Veteran's right lower extremity nerve condition is remanded and requires an opinion regarding its relationship to service. Toxic exposures in-service may be a factor.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied, but the Board notes that toxic exposures in-service may be relevant.