The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a rating of 20% for bilateral hearing loss, but his claims for depression, degenerative disc and facet joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities remain unresolved. Additionally, he is now receiving TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence supporting a finding that his bilateral foot disorder or sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) were caused by any of his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Foot Disorder, Sleep Disorder (including Sleep Apnea)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 12, 2009
- Citation
- 0917744
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 0917744.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for OSA and a bilateral foot disorder to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and a bilateral foot disorder due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities resulting in functional impairment.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and denied service connection for left, right hip disorders, and a bilateral foot disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development, including obtaining a VA podiatrist's opinion regarding the Veteran's foot disabilities and whether they are related to service. The low back disability claim is also deferred until any relevant opinions on the foot disabilities are obtained.
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