The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder (Crohn's disease), and heart disability (residuals of myocardial infarction) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the initial VA examinations were inadequate and there are outstanding records that need to be obtained for a proper decision on the Veteran's service connection claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Gastrointestinal Disorder (Crohn's Disease), Heart Disability (Residuals of Myocardial Infarction)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2020
- Citation
- A20018404
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 A20018404.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, including coronary artery disease, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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