The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of left long finger amputation and left ring finger fracture is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the left leg below the knee amputation is also remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU are remanded.,An opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's left hand tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation were caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,Another medical opinion is required to assess whether the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service.
The deciding factor: The current rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals does not account for all symptoms he experiences, including tingling and numbness in his left hand. The remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on this issue.,VA treatment providers did not provide proper care following the Veteran's left great toe amputation surgery, leading to a below-the-knee amputation of his left leg. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded as VA may have been at fault in this case.,The nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea need clarification. An opinion is required to determine if it had its onset during service or was otherwise related to service.,An opinion is needed to assess whether the Veteran's left hand tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation were caused by his service-connected conditions.,Another medical opinion is necessary to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of left long finger amputation, Left ring finger fracture, Psychiatric disorder (related to stroke complications), Sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22016255
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 22016255.
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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and obesity. The AOJ will need to provide a VA examination to clarify these issues.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
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