Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected migraine disability has been granted. However, the effective date remains pending and several other issues remain under review.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches and service connection for ED were denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for diarrhea was dismissed due to the AOJ decision deferring the issue.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied as there is no current diagnosis of OSA or sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraines was granted with an effective date of May 6, 2022. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for migraines and GERD is denied.,Service connection for GERD was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2022. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for migraines and GERD is denied.,The initial rating for migraine headaches has been increased to 50 percent, effective May 6, 2022.,The initial rating for GERD has been increased to 30 percent, effective April 11, 2022.

The Veteran's bilateral knee pain is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and OSA are denied. The cervical strain and generalized anxiety disorder claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to a fall during National Guard drill in April 2016, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the Board finds that his OSA began in service and there is a reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion in connection with the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are inadequate due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is being remanded to obtain an updated medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his conceded participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, medication management, and housekeeping/laundry due to his TBI, PTSD, OSA, headaches, lumbar spine disability, arthritis, and severe chronic back pain. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that entitlement had not arisen due to insufficient evidence indicating it was secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia patella (right and left knees), and sleep apnea residuals status post nasal fracture are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran's chest scar is not compensably rated as it does not meet the required surface area criteria. The Veteran's neck scar also does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation, including whether it is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability and whether it is aggravated by any service-connected disabilities. The examiner must also address whether obesity, which may be related to his service-connected back and leg disabilities, could serve as an intermediary step between a service-connected disability and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal was not legally adequate and requires remand for further action, including obtaining a medical opinion from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) regarding personal care services needs and supervision requirements. The AOJ must also provide compliant notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Veteran's appeal for chronic rhinitis and sarcoidosis was dismissed. The appeals for erectile dysfunction, skin condition, scar, fibromyalgia, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, CFS, dental abscess, visual acuity, memory loss condition, myocardial infraction, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus were all dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for generalized anxiety disorder, hypertension, back disability, and left lower extremity sciatic radicular pain due to a lack of medical opinions regarding service connection. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.,The Veteran's current right wrist peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to service-connected syringomyelia.,The Veteran's nerve damage, back remains in dispute and will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claims for moles, lipomas, and a skin disability (white patches) caused by exposure to herbicide agents have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for residuals of a hiatal hernia surgical repair, obstructive sleep apnea, left hand disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not etiologically related to service and not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.