Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied due to the late filing of appeal requests, and the attempts are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines (headaches) is granted. The claim for service connection for polycythemia and sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist and insufficient opinions. The issues include OSA with obesity as an intermediate step, and a psychiatric disability related to migraine with vertigo.

The Board has denied service connection for IBS and remanded the issue of service connection for OSA. The Veteran's IBS symptoms are not related to military service, while his OSA may be secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, deviated septum, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The Veteran has had his service-connected hypothyroidism granted with an effective date of February 13, 2023. His liver disability and eczema claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include respiratory condition, tension headaches, OSA, PFB, and bilateral knee strain.

The Board has determined that no new and relevant evidence was received since the April 2024 rating decision to reconsider the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper front teeth residuals from breakage, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including sleep apnea and coronary artery disease. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the issues of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Migraines, and Bilateral Hearing Loss have been remanded. The issue of service connection for Cervical Strain is not currently before the Board.

The Board has restored the Veteran's total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), effective April 1, 2025. The decision was made due to the absence of clear and convincing evidence that the Veteran had sustained gainful employment in 2023.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted with an effective date of July 15, 2020. The effective date cannot be earlier than the effective date warranted for the foundational disorder upon which service connection was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the possibility of toxic exposure during his service in the Persian Gulf War. A VA examination and opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has restored the original disability ratings for left knee strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the reductions were improper due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected mental health condition. The decision also grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the restoration of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), effective May 1, 2020. The decision was made due to procedural errors in the previous termination decisions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a lumbosacral strain (low back disorder). The cervical strain claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, including whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or rhinitis, as well as its relationship to in-service exposure.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for various conditions, including bilateral knee replacements and radiculopathies. The reduction of the 30 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was also denied.