Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the current condition was not incurred in or related to service and did not meet any presumptive criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected disabilities and obesity. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, low back disability, right knee disability, and right hip disabilities are being considered.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or a link to service.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is denied due to lack of in-service onset and insufficient evidence linking the current diagnosis to service.,The Veteran's right ankle condition is denied for similar reasons.,PTSD is granted with an effective date of May 23, 2021.,Right hip conditions are granted with effective dates of August 6, 2020.,A 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss has an effective date of July 26, 2022.,Hypertension is granted with an effective date of May 23, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant service medical records and a fully adequate examination without considering the ameliorating effects of medication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing before proceeding with a de novo review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will require an adequate etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of migraines due to a defect in jurisdiction. The Veteran's dental disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes and it is not related to service.

The Veteran's MGUS is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claims for OSA and COPD are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The claims for increased ratings of left and right wrist conditions, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, left foot condition, right foot condition, and headache condition are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions in prior VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the December 2024 VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee strain and unspecified trauma disorder. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and will provide proper notice as required under 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Veteran's headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected based on direct evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's back disability and left knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions and SMC at the housebound rate as of January 31, 2024.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 29, 2024. The earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to duty-to-assist errors.

The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed, and the claim for prostate cancer is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted due to the presence of a current diagnosis and exposure to military noise during service.,Right foot metatarsalgia is denied as there is no indication that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Left foot condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as the earliest available effective date is August 2, 2023.,Claims for increased ratings and TDIU were also addressed but are not relevant to this decision.