The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The opinions are needed to determine if OSA is caused or aggravated by asthma, and whether obesity/weight gain is a substantial factor in causing OSA. Additionally, the examiner must consider all lay evidence, including the Veteran's statements.
The deciding factor: The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are necessary to address the issues of service connection for OSA and the relationship between obesity and OSA.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Asthma, Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease and Instability, Bilateral Hip Conditions, Bilateral Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 16, 2024
- Citation
- 24008160
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 24008160.
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 of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for OSA and insomnia must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, as well as a failure to obtain TERA opinions on all relevant exposures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and a separate rating for chronic pulmonary embolism due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately compensates his service-connected condition.
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