The Veteran's bilateral hip strain and knee strain are related to service, but the issue of acquired psychiatric disorder (to include sleep apnea) is remanded for further development.,Additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD or GAD, and whether his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding sleep apnea and its relationship to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.,The issue of acquired psychiatric disorder (to include sleep apnea) requires further examination and opinion as it involves complex medical determinations.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hip strain, bilateral knee strain, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include sleep apnea)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2023
- Citation
- A23036116
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 A23036116.
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 found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hip disability was manifest by painful motion prior to March 28, 2025. From that date, the disability manifested as limitation of adduction due to inability to cross legs.,The Board found no evidence of limitation of extension or impairment of thigh prior to March 28, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle strain, left knee strain, and bilateral hip strain due to a lack of etiology opinions in the record.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including arthritis, is service connected as it had its onset during his active service and there is no clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions. The appeal for service connection is granted.
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