The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea to obtain additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is not in dispute, but further clarification on their etiology is needed.
The deciding factor: Further examination and opinion are required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, including whether they are related to his service-connected TBI or other pre-existing conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20068117
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 granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.