The appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for hemorrhoids is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 20 percent for surgical incision of the right heel from September 23, 2009, entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a neck disability are all REMANDED.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to the Board's decision being promulgated. The appeals for sleep apnea, surgical incision of the right heel, bilateral hearing loss, and neck disability require further development as per the May 2017 Joint Motion for Partial Remand.
- Claimed conditions
- Hemorrhoids, Sleep apnea, Surgical incision of the right heel, Bilateral hearing loss, Neck disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18118726
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 18118726.
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 a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- 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.
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