Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is found to be the primary cause of his sleep apnea, and this connection has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the TDIU claim prior to March 22, 2021, was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 23, 2024.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right intercostal muscle strains due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's other claims, including neurocognitive disorder, ischemic stroke disorder, and sleep apnea disorder, have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability caused his obesity and/or aggravated it, which is necessary for determining if the sleep apnea should be granted as secondary to that condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection due to a procedural error in docketing his cervical spine condition claim, and denied his claim for sleep apnea as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Veteran's cervical strain is directly related to his military service. His HTN, CKD, GERD, left and right leg varicose veins, OSA, and right knee arthritis are all secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss, auditory processing disorder, and depression and anxiety due to potential inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the initial decision and has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an updated medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 17, 2017 and his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound criteria prior to that date. The decision is final as it does not address service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion on the etiology of sleep apnea and whether it was aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the AOJ failing to obtain all relevant records, including Social Security Administration and private treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated with consideration of these records.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's current low back disability was incurred in active service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 50 percent since June 1, 2024. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.,New and relevant evidence has been received for the claim of service connection for urinary incontinence. This claim will be readjudicated.