The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate September 2019 VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a supplemental medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by these service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The September 2019 VA medical opinion did not address secondary aggravation of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea by his service-connected major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2024
- Citation
- A24075946
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 A24075946.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
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