The claim for service connection for numbness and loss of use of left hand and fingers has been reopened. The claim for OSA is denied, and the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for numbness in the left arm due to achilles tendon surgery and for major depressive disorder as secondary to numbness and loss of use of left hand and fingers are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's OSA and his service, nor does it provide sufficient medical opinion regarding the other claims. The Board referred these issues to qualified contract examiners for further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- numbness and loss of use of left hand and fingers, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21065711
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 21065711.
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 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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