Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and thyroid cancer, finding the evidence did not support a link to service or exposure. The Veteran's lay contentions were discounted due to lack of medical training.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of psoriatic arthritis and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for her right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 24, 2016 for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left lower peripheral vein insufficiency (CVI) and varicose veins, right lower peripheral vein insufficiency (CVI) and varicose veins, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee joint osteoarthritis.,The effective dates are based on the Veteran's formal appeal of the July 2019 Statement of the Case and December 2016 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss was dismissed. Service connection for TBI and obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, were granted. Service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, secondary to PTSD, was also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected spine, knee and hip disabilities. The decision is based on a finding that obesity caused by these service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the severity of his condition during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically asthma and obstructive sleep apnea, are found to be related to service. The claim for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's May 2024 diagnosis of mild obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is related to service.

The appeal concerning the propriety of severance of service connection for bruxism is dismissed. The issues of service connection for central serous retinopathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, and sleep apnea are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of OSA was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is February 19, 2020.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and the Board has granted service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and allergic rhinitis are found to be the primary cause of her obstructive sleep apnea. The Board grants a 50% disability rating for migraine headaches, effective from the date of decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lower back sprain and PTSD due to a lack of thorough medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements and STRs.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and her OSA is granted as service-connected. The effective date for these ratings has not been specified.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to service, including his Gulf War exposure, and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's attorney requested a higher-level review (HLR) to argue that the AOJ committed clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in assigning a 50 percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea from September 1, 2013. The HLR denied an earlier effective date but addressed the CUE contentions. The Board finds procedural errors and remands the case to correct this issue.

The appeal regarding service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is dismissed. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right shin splints, left shin splints, and hypertension. The claims for skin disability, headache disability, Type II diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot pes planus, and left foot pes planus are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's child is not eligible for VA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for spina bifida because the evidence does not support a diagnosis of this condition.

An effective date of December 4, 2017, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). An initial evaluation higher than 20 percent for these conditions is denied.,An effective date of December 4, 2017, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria. An earlier effective date for service connection for low back disability is denied.