The Veteran's claim for right ear disorder with perforation was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted, but the claim for right ear disorder with perforation remains pending and will be remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: Service connection for OSA is granted based on a private practitioner's opinion that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis. Service connection for right ear disorder with perforation remains pending due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear disorder with perforation, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2022
- Citation
- 22004584
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 22004584.
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 gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's 100% rating for hemorrhagic stroke is granted effective March 19, 2021. OSA and periodic limb movement syndrome are denied service connection. Pituitary mass remains under review.
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