The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and sleep disorder. The Veteran was not diagnosed with a mental health condition at his most recent VA examinations, but there is conflicting medical opinion. A new examination by a psychiatrist is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and sleep disorder, leading to a remand for further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Psychiatric disability, Sleep disorder (specifically sleep apnea)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20056015
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 20056015.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the May 2013 rating decision that denied a TDIU, finding no clear and unmistakable error.
- Denied
The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were intermittent and did not significantly impair his occupational or social functioning.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his psychiatric disability was the initial decision, and thus attorney fees are not eligible based on past due benefits awarded in April 2025.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been rated at 100 percent, and he is already receiving special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). Therefore, there remains no issue for the Board to resolve regarding entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
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.