Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the previous examination, which did not consider whether sleep apnea is related to service-connected disabilities or toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy in each lower extremity is granted.

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

The Veteran's left elbow pain is granted as secondary to his service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran's OSA and insomnia are both granted, with the OSA being secondary to tinnitus and the insomnia likely due to tinnitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's OSA was incurred during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. The VA must obtain an opinion regarding direct service connection other than TERA for COPD, and provide opinions on the etiology of sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on credible lay statements and a medical opinion linking the sleep apnea to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining VA treatment records and securing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, a neurocognitive disorder, depression, and anxiety), benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, obstructive sleep apnea, and balance issues due to potential errors in the decision-making process.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), headaches, and OSA. The claims are remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee strain and low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant eligibility.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his condition began in service and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's left elbow degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and eczema are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for right ankle degenerative joint disease with a rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the condition was incurred in or caused by active service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxious distress, and generalized anxiety disorder. The right sacroiliac joint dysfunction and TBI claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea were denied as they are not related to his service.,Service connection was not granted for these conditions because the evidence does not show a nexus between the current disabilities and any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of injury to his right ankle.

The Veteran's claims for service connection to OSA, initial compensable evaluation for migraines, and initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's OSA began during active service or was related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed it.