Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's OSA, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss were all found to have their onset in service. Service connection was granted for each condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the condition and that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's application for special monthly compensation at the (r)(1) rate was denied as he did not meet the criteria for this level of SMC based on his service-connected disabilities and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence is persuasively against a finding that the Veteran currently has these conditions.,For the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ear hearing loss, CFS, sleep apnea, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, left leg disability, and ED, the Board has remanded these claims to allow for further development.

The Veteran's dizziness is associated with his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. The Board denied service connection for dizzy spells.,There is no current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy in the Veteran's medical records. The Board denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy.,The Veteran failed to report for a necessary examination without good cause. The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD).,The evidence does not establish that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board denied service connection for PTSD.,There is no current diagnosis of vision in the Veteran's medical records. The Board denied service connection for vision.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected disabilities should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further analysis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The AOJ will need to obtain a new VA medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an addendum medical opinion, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if her OSA was directly related to service or caused by her PTSD and obesity.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding no current disability of OSA during the pendency of the appeal. The Veteran's lay statements were not competent to establish a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal contesting the award of fees to R.H. and S.C. based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 30, 2024 rating decision and October 2, 2024 dependency award is granted. The appeal contesting the award of fees to A.T. based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 30, 2024 rating decision and October 2, 2024 dependency award is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder, finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected insomnia.

Service connection is granted for temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome and headaches as secondary to service-connected temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome.,Service connection is denied for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical strain, left upper extremity nerve condition, lumbosacral strain, and other conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, anterior neck scar, and hypothyroidism have been granted service connection with effective dates of January 19, 2023.,Effective dates for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea, anterior neck scar, and hypothyroidism are set at January 19, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for burn pits exposure, contaminated needle stick, and sleep apnea due to untimely filing of a VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. Another VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities, including whether they are related to Camp Lejeune exposure or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 40 percent, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current OSA is secondary to his service-connected MDD with alcohol abuse disorder and PTSD, as well as whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing his current OSA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.