Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, back pain, right lower extremity nerve condition, left lower extremity nerve condition, and left shoulder condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), lumbosacral strain with associated radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted. Attorney fees are eligible from past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical injury/condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right ankle ligament sprain, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea).,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's sleep disorder, diagnosed as chronic sleep impairment and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PFB and vertigo have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The gastrointestinal disability, including GERD and viral gastroenteritis, has not been established as related to service or secondary to PTSD-induced weight gain.,Left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right ankle strain are also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability was granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,Service connection for lumbosacral strain has been established, but the issue of service connection for OSA remains pending due to a remand.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding neurocardiogenic syncope, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding neurocardiogenic syncope, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence supports a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, based on a positive opinion linking obesity (an intermediary factor) to both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic bronchitis, from August 8, 2023, is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board cannot make a fully informed decision without the results of a December 2023 pulmonary function test performed at an Ardmore VA outpatient facility.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and did not result from an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the VA medical opinions and consideration of the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum medical opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and/or GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and headaches as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted increased ratings, and attorney fees are awarded for past-due benefits resulting from these decisions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of increased rating for left ankle strain and reduction of disability rating for lumbosacral strain. The Board dismissed these appeals.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an aggravation opinion linking the Veteran's OSA to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or undergo an examination.