The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disorder (COPD), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), cervical spine disorder (neck strain), varicose veins, sleep apnea, and chronic heart disorder (MI). These issues are being remanded for additional VA examination to address conflicting medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board has granted the reopening of claims but finds that new evidence does not establish a nexus between service or service-connected conditions and the current diagnoses. The Board is therefore remanding these cases for further development, including obtaining updated medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), Diabetes Mellitus, Lung Disorder, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, to include PTSD, Cervical Spine Disorder, to include Neck Strain, Varicose Veins, Sleep Apnea, Chronic Heart Disorder, to include MI
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20034554
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 20034554.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
- Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal was granted for various disabilities, including service connection for depressive disorder and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple nerve groups. A SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also awarded.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim has been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
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.