The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to narcolepsy with cataplexy, as well as for further development of these issues. The Veteran's claim is being returned for a new VA examination to address whether his narcolepsy with cataplexy had its onset in or is related to service, including in-service head trauma and/or psychiatric symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the July 2020 VA examiner did not consider the questions asked by the Board in its November 2019 remand instructions regarding whether the Veteran's narcolepsy with cataplexy was related to in-service head trauma or in-service psychiatric symptomatology, and did not address the medical literature provided by the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- narcolepsy with cataplexy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20068155
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal was dismissed for the duty to assist errors identified during Higher-Level Reviews of narcolepsy with cataplexy and obstructive sleep apnea claims, but remanded for further development on other service connection claims.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial disability rating of 80 percent for the service-connected narcolepsy with cataplexy, as the Veteran experiences more than ten episodes per week.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound status, as well as basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected narcolepsy with cataplexy, which results in sudden attacks where he loses the use of both lower extremities and requires constant supervision.
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