The Board has remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection for hypertension, stroke, left ankle disability, psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's hypertension may be linked to his active duty service due to documented in-service instances of potentially pertinent elevated blood pressure readings. The stroke and left ankle disability are also likely related to the hypertension. A VA examination is needed to determine if a current psychiatric disorder is etiologically linked to the Veteran's military service, including with attention to the July 2016 lay testimony of the Veteran’s sister and August 2016 private medical opinion of Dr. Henderson-Galligan. The right ankle disability needs an adequate VA examination to assess its severity.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the issues are inextricably intertwined due to potential links between hypertension, stroke, left ankle disability, psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder, necessitating further development for each issue.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, stroke, left ankle disability, psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18131395
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 18131395.
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 hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.