The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and arteriosclerotic heart disease (high cholesterol), but denied reopening of his claim for avascular necrosis. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to bipolar disorder, service connection for avascular necrosis, and an increased rating for bipolar disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's testimony did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and arteriosclerotic heart disease (high cholesterol). The claim for sleep apnea was reopened due to new evidence showing a causal relationship between the condition and service-connected bipolar disorder. Service connection for avascular necrosis is remanded as there are no medical opinions linking it to service. An increased rating for bipolar disorder is also remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease (high cholesterol), avascular necrosis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22007934
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 22007934.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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