The Board has determined that there was insufficient compliance with its previous remand instructions and thus the case must be returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previously obtained VA medical opinions did not address all questions posed in the prior remand, particularly those related to whether service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, left ethmoid chronic sinusitis, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 6, 2022
- Citation
- 22038461
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 22038461.
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 hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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