The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus or diplopia. The VA must obtain retrospective opinions addressing this issue.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were insufficient medical opinions on record regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus or diplopia, which is a requirement for secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21029054
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 21029054.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted as service connected. The Veteran's infectious disease claim and stomach disability claim are remanded for further examination.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
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