Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with effective dates ranging from January 1, 2016 to October 30, 2014. The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for left lower extremity neuropathy has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including a lack of VA examinations and opinions. The AOJ is required to obtain verification of garrison exposure and provide the Veteran with VA examinations and opinions considering toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 12, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (SMC/A&A) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of myofascial pain cervical spine, lumbosacral strain, and left knee recurrent tendinitis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain a medical opinion prior to issuing the August 2020 rating decision. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service and any periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by his obesity due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lumbar strain, bilateral ankle sprain, degenerative joint disease of the left elbow, patellar tendonitis of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his in-service burn pit exposure, as well as its relation to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as caused by his service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was dismissed as the benefit has been previously granted.,Service connection for BLE peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes on a causation basis is now granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied. The Board found no basis to assign an effective date earlier than January 2, 2014.

The Veteran's child, N., is not entitled to an effective date prior to February 15, 2023, for the award of additional disability compensation benefits based on recognition of N. as his dependent due to school attendance.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected rhinitis. The claim for GERD remains pending and requires a remand with an addendum opinion.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of a 40 percent rating for epilepsy is dismissed. The case is remanded for further consideration of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hand arthralgia, nose disability (manifesting in nosebleeds), and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement (NOD) did not identify a valid rating decision and did not substantially comply with proper claims processing rules.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, including his participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).