Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinion did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about his snoring issues during service, which need to be addressed in an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate notice and scheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis. Low back disability and bilateral shin splints are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, prostate cancer with benign prostatic hypertrophy, and diabetes mellitus type II from the date of the decision. These conditions are found to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the combined service-connected disabilities caused obesity, which in turn led to the development of obstructive sleep apnea. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there was a full grant of benefits for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis in an August 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's costochondritis is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right breast cancer and obstructive sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of IBS have been granted. The Board has also determined that the Veteran should be afforded additional VA examinations to address his claims for erectile dysfunction, GERD, lower back strain (lumbosacral strain), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and sciatica right leg.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not properly consider theories of service connection for sleep apnea, including secondary to a service-connected condition and direct service connection. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis (sinusitis), and an acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder with anxiety). The evidence did not show the presence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's reports of symptoms were insufficient to meet the first element of service connection as he had no complaints or treatment for sleep, sinus, or psychiatric disabilities prior to his September 2025 statement.

Service connection for OSA secondary to service-connected PTSD is granted.,Effective dates of March 12, 2020, and January 13, 2022, are assigned for the grants of service connection for atrial fibrillation and hypertension, respectively. ,Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected atrial fibrillation and hypertension are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of a valid claim prior to February 2024.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to a lack of consideration of potential aggravation during active service and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The case of service connection for OSA is remanded due to insufficient opinion on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, tension headaches with migraine components, and lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease, prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to a single service-connected disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and left ankle disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a Respiratory Disability due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from appropriate clinicians regarding the etiology of these conditions.