The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a foot disability, claimed as plantar fasciitis, to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
The deciding factor: The January 2024 VA medical opinion is not fully adequate as it pertains to the question of direct service connection for sleep apnea. The AOJ should have sought a new or addendum opinion prior to entering a decision on the Veteran's claim. Similarly, an examination and opinion are needed regarding the foot disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Foot Disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25086010
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