The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, OSA, type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities to obtain additional evidence and opinions.
The deciding factor: The November 2022 VA opinions were not sufficient to decide the claims as they did not address secondary service connection aggravation adequately. Additionally, direct service connection opinions for GERD and OSA were not obtained when warranted, and pre-decisional duty to assist errors occurred regarding obtaining relevant medical treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25085983
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