Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if sleep apnea is related to service or PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of a November 2024 decision identifying a duty to assist error for the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The claims of entitlement to service connection for eczema and athletes' foot are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his obesity, and if so, whether this led to his OSA.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus have been dismissed. Claims for hepatitis C, aortic aneurysm, liver condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including peritoneal adhesions and small bowel obstructions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of March 5, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for skin rash and OSA due to exposure to herbicide agent or toxic exposure, as well as secondary to PTSD. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for Hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error, as well as inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, and jaw injury for further evaluation due to an inadequate opinion in the August 2024 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for liver disorders, gastric varices, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, and tinnitus due to a lack of current disability evidence. The Veteran's service participation in TERA is recognized.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for various conditions and evaluations due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for herpetic whitlow and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for migraines from August 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 was granted, but the appeal for a higher rating after that date is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, left ankle disability, and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will need to provide updated medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or other factors.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including IBS with hiatal hernia and GERD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, OSA, bronchitis, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and an ulcer disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability have been dismissed as the RO has granted these issues in full.,Right ear hearing loss is not established as a current disability under VA criteria.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a rating of at least 40 percent from November 12, 2024. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypogonadism, OSA, cardiovascular disability, and immune system disability due to exposure to nerve agents during service in Iraq. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral strain disabilities due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if his current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service.