The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions. The rating for cervical spine disability is also remanded as evidence suggests a material worsening since the last examination in January 2014. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded because the audiogram associated with the September 2015 VA audiology consult has not been made part of the record.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient previous opinions. The rating for cervical spine disability is remanded as evidence suggests a material worsening since the last examination in January 2014. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded because the audiogram associated with the September 2015 VA audiology consult has not been made part of the record.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18142904
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18142904.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for residuals of gallbladder removal and remanded the other claims due to insufficient evidence.
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