The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, shoulder disorder, back strain, rhinitis, and GERD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain STRs from reserve and National Guard service periods, private medical records, and VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there are gaps in the record regarding the Veteran's military service history and has ordered further efforts to obtain relevant records.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Left Shoulder Disorder, Lumbosacral Strain, Allergic Rhinitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Right Knee Disorder, Left Knee Disorder, Right Leg Disorder (including Shin Splints), Left Leg Disorder (including Shin Splints)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19164579
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 19164579.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claims for urinary frequency disability and residuals of a cholecystectomy were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and tendinitis, cervical spine spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar scoliosis and lumbar spine degenerative changes.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as it requires further development and evidence.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.