Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss and sleep apnea were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

All claims for service connection related to lumbosacral strain, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, athlete's foot/tinea pedis, right shin splints, left shin splints, erectile dysfunction, alopecia areata (hair loss), and acne have been dismissed due to lack of timely appeal. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions.

All claims for service connection related to lumbosacral strain, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, athlete's foot/tinea pedis, right shin splints, left shin splints, erectile dysfunction, alopecia areata (hair loss), and acne have been dismissed due to lack of timely appeal. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's OSA, including its onset during service and any in-service exposures.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and DEA benefits due to the date of diagnosis being August 9, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected major depression with anxious distress, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining complete treatment records from Dr. Akin and Dr. Dolnick, and obtaining medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's current back disability was caused by wear and tear during service or aggravation of a preexisting scoliosis.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of July 24, 2020 for service connection of degenerative arthritis lumbosacral spine and related conditions, including radiculopathy right lower extremity. The decision is based on the submission of a valid Supplemental Claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, back pain, depression, hernia, left foot pain, right foot pain, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, high blood pressure, sensitive testicles, sleep apnea, and tinnitus have also been dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted.

The Veteran withdrew her claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, leading to its dismissal.

The Veteran's service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea prior to September 6, 2022 is granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that it is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service, or caused or aggravated by his service-connected chronic renal disease (kidney disease stage III with hypertension).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, secondary to a nonservice connected cervical spine disorder and service-connected lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative joint disease, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for left shoulder chronic strain is remanded.

Service connection for MDS is granted, and a higher initial disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected back disability is also granted. Other issues on appeal are resolved in favor of the appellant.