Citation Nr: 21029654
Decision Date: 05/14/21	Archive Date: 05/14/21

DOCKET NO. 14-30 913
DATE: May 14, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active service from October 1975 to October 1978.  

In July 2020, the Board remanded the matter in order to obtain a medical opinion as to whether the obstructive sleep apnea was related to the reported in-service facial injuries from boxing.  Although an opinion was obtained, the opinion does not explicitly address this question.  This must be done.  Additionally, in light of new contentions from the Veteran's representative, the Board finds an opinion should be obtained to determine if the obstructive sleep apnea has been affected by the service-connected tinnitus.  

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Obtain an opinion from a competent medical professional to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.  Following review of the record, the clinician must state whether it is at least as likely as not that the obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to reported in-service facial injuries from boxing.  The clinician should also address the contentions that the obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by the service-connected tinnitus.  

The rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided.  If the clinician is unable to provide any required opinion, the clinician should explain why.  If the clinician cannot provide an opinion without resorting to mere speculation, a complete explanation as to why this is so should be provided.  If the inability to provide a more definitive opinion is the result of a need for additional information, the additional information that is needed should be identified.

 

 

T. REYNOLDS

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	N. Snyder, counsel

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided.  This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability.  38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.