The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded for further evaluation.,The cause of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also being evaluated to determine if it is related to his service-connected psychiatric disorder or other factors.,The issue of a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to July 10, 2019, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 16, 2021, is also being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The issue of a TDIU prior to March 16, 2021, remains on appeal as part of the increased rating claim.
The deciding factor: Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from right ear hearing loss and whether it is related to service or other factors.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected psychiatric disorder, medications for treatment of that disorder, or his sleep impairment related to his psychiatric disorder.,Further evaluation is needed to determine a proper disability rating and whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to March 16, 2021.,The issue of a TDIU prior to March 16, 2021, remains on appeal as part of the increased rating claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Hearing Loss, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21042048
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 21042048.
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 claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- 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.
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