The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cysts of the right hand and right foot, claimed as tumors, left foot condition, and right foot condition. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea.,The Veteran contends that his diagnosed sleep apnea may be aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The March 2020 VA examiner’s opinion on whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability was based on a false factual premise and speculation.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Cysts of the right hand and right foot","claimed_condition":"Tumors"}, {"condition_name":"Left foot condition","claimed_condition":null}, {"condition_name":"Right foot condition","claimed_condition":null}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20067485
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 a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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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.