Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected nonspecific headaches and tinnitus were denied, while the VA remanded several other claims.,For the left knee disability and right knee disability, the VA found that more than a certain percentage rating was warranted but remanded to clarify examination findings.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), back disability, and chronic bronchitis. These claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions due to untimely filing of appeal requests.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, adjustment disorder, vertigo, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and provide VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for morbid obesity, difficulty walking, allergic rhinitis, otitis media, gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and onychomycosis are also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for difficulty walking is denied as it is a symptom of other diagnosed conditions, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, and pes planus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied due to lack of medical nexus between the condition and in-service incurrence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for otitis media is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for enrollment in the PCAFC program is being remanded due to an inadequate decision from the AOJ. The Board finds that the eligibility criteria were not properly considered, and additional evidence should be evaluated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to the evidence being in approximate balance on whether it began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that OSA was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The rating claim for lumbosacral sprain with degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service, specifically his exposure to asbestos during military service. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service activities.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) claimed as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical opinions and considering evidence, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected conditions or exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied a request for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent evaluation of chronic bronchitis with obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the entitlement to this rating arose on December 16, 2021.

The Board has remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection for OSA, left hand arthritis, intestinal disability, lung disability, dizziness/vertigo, and muscle spasms and uncontrolled muscle twitches. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for GERD.