The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, DM II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claims for hypertension (high blood pressure), Barrett’s syndrome, and essential tremors are remanded for further development.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has hypertension due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has Barrett’s syndrome due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has essential tremors due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The private physician's opinion indicates that the Veteran’s sleep apnea is more likely than not caused by his service-connected PTSD, DM II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claims for hypertension (high blood pressure), Barrett’s syndrome, and essential tremors are remanded as VA needs to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a VA examination.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has hypertension due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has Barrett’s syndrome due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has essential tremors due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, hypertension (high blood pressure), Barrett’s syndrome, essential tremors
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20025319
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 20025319.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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