Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for sleep apnea, bilateral shoulder conditions, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, and vertigo.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is likely due to her service-connected PTSD, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and records. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed again as there were insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to his military service or PTSD.

The Veteran's OSA is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU from July 19, 2021, but no earlier due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from gainful employment. He also received eligibility for DEA since July 19, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and his TDIU claim were both denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and failure to consider all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and osteoarthritis of the left thumb have been granted. The Board has added a claim for respiratory disability, to include asthma, due to its overlap with the initial claim. Service connection is also remanded for left elbow disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and IVDS are rated at 30% prior to September 28, 2021, but not higher.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 10% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis is rated at 10% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Hiatal Hernia and Diverticulitis are rated at 30%.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it was caused by his in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his foot and knee disabilities, as well as their relationship to service. The AOJ must provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, tinnitus, and thoracolumbar arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea due to toxic exposure risk activities, as well as secondary service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The VA will obtain new medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and supraventricular arrhythmia, finding that the earliest valid ITF was submitted in June 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss, lower back condition, and sleep apnea. The decision granted service connection for right ear hearing loss at zero percent effective February 13, 2024.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence, including private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee ankylosis, right foot pes planus, middle back strain, and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of current disabilities.