Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA opinions and a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 100% as of November 1, 2016. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted on this basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal in its entirety.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus (type II) and sleep apnea because they were untimely filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was partially granted, with a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain effective from April 3, 2024. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected hypertension, allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The earlier effective dates and increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and major depressive disorder have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because his representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's back disability worsened on March 18, 2024, resulting in a 20 percent disability rating effective that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, a right shoulder condition, urinary incontinence, and atrial fibrillation due to insufficient medical opinions addressing various theories of entitlement.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service and is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection awards of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, muscle spasm, and atrophy; right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve; and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence supports that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fibroma, as well as her lumbosacral strain and right shoulder strain, are all found to have their onset during service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disability, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,The Veteran did not provide clear and unmistakable evidence that any pre-existing conditions worsened during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not related to an in-service event or disease. The Board also found that it is less likely than not that his sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his active service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea for a new VA medical opinion due to inadequate previous opinions. The matter is now returned to the Board.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses did not begin during service or are related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or related to service.