The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, a low back disorder, migraines, and obstructive sleep apnea must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for new examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of her claimed conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the AOJ committed pre-decisional duty to assist errors by failing to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed disorders and did not attempt to reschedule an examination for major depressive disorder. The AOJ is instructed to correct these errors by scheduling new examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, low back disorder, migraines, obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2026
- Citation
- A26019605
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 A26019605.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- 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.
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