Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is denied, as there is no evidence showing the disability has most closely approximated IVDS with incapacitating episodes or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees during the past 12 months.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for sciatica nerve and sleep apnea as there was no specific error of fact or law at issue, and the claims were premature.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a rating of 40 percent, but not higher, for thoracic spondylosis with vertebral compression fracture at T7-9 with lumbar strain have been granted. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals regarding various conditions and disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder strain, degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, lateral epicondylitis, osteoarthritis, and allergic rhinitis. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, as the Board finds that his symptoms began during service and are related to his military duties.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis with vertebral fracture, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are etiologically linked to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's representative submitted a private medical opinion, but it is considered duplicative and not credible enough to support the claim. The VA examiner did not provide an adequate opinion on whether his service-connected conditions aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, which was previously denied. The claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion addressing whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected heart condition and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of OSA was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his claim was continuously pursued under the AMA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding obtaining community care documents and providing an addendum medical opinion on causation and aggravation of sleep apnea by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of left hip strain, right hip strain, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability (including valvular heart disease and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation), and hypertension due to inadequate VA opinions addressing whether these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right thigh muscle contusion, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to untimeliness of the Notice of Disagreement.,The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation for service-connected left ear hearing loss has also been dismissed due to untimeliness of the Notice of Disagreement.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; obstructive sleep apnea; and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for fatigue and dizziness have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is granted. The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.