The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder need further examination and opinion. The Veteran's testimony during his June 2018 hearing indicated he was seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the July 2016 VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate, particularly regarding the existence of a private medical opinion diagnosing PTSD and depression. The claims are therefore remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder, Sleep apnea, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18142680
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18142680.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
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