The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The earlier effective date issues will also be addressed as they are inextricably intertwined with the other claims.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence is needed to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the Veteran's conditions, including his obstructive sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy. Effective dates for increased ratings may depend on the findings from these examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19143095
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.