Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for PTSD was dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar disability, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and retrolisthesis is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back condition, including during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also granted, as the evidence showed that her pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to a deficient notice letter and the Veteran's right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it was at least as likely as not caused by military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues for further evaluation, including service connection claims and evaluations for various knee disabilities. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are among the issues being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis and reported symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating of 80% currently recognizes significant industrial impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar back strain, cervical spine disability, bilateral pes planus, left ankle and knee disabilities, tinnitus, and hearing loss are rated accordingly. The effective date for the grant of service connection is denied prior to December 29, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) claims have also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and hypertension was denied. The rating for IVDS with bilateral facet arthropathy thoracolumbar spondylosis is not met as the evidence did not show forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, or ankylosis (or its functional equivalent).,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathies were not met as the evidence did not show at least moderate incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve or sciatic nerve. The rating for hypertension was also denied.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for heart condition and hypertension was not proper, and service connection should be restored. The bilateral knee conditions and OSA are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or caused by his active duty service, including his in-service herbicide agent exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, initial compensable rating for hypertension, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for hypertension, headaches, heart disease with atrial fibrillation, cervical spondylosis, depression, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, rotator cuff tear, acromioclavicular arthritis of the right shoulder, dominant, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left shoulder and hand disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and back pain. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.,No VA examination or medical opinion was provided in relation to these claims.