The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The case is now back for further development.
The deciding factor: The addendum opinion obtained in February 2021 was deemed insufficient as it did not address Dr. J.H.'s July 2015 private opinion and the March 2016 VA examiner's opinion, nor did it provide a clear determination on whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21023126
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 21023126.
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 Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
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