The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder (RLS), and a headache disorder (migraines) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a scar of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent prior to May 29, 2018 and higher than 40 percent from that date for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate evaluation for bilateral sciatic radicular pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.
The deciding factor: Additional VA treatment records have been added to the claims file since certification of the appeal. The Veteran requested that these records be reviewed by the Board, and thus a remand is necessary.,The record is in conflict as to whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, and if so, its etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine this.,In December 2015, a VA provider noted that an at home sleep study indicated significant movements during sleep and subjective complaints suggesting RLS. In his March 2016 report, Dr. Y also related his opinion that RLS was a neurologic manifestation of the Veteran’s low back disability. An examination is needed to determine whether there is a diagnosis of RLS and if so, its etiology.,The Veteran asserts that he has a headache disorder that is related to injuries during service. While the service treatment records are negative for head injury or headache disorder, a July 2015 VA treatment record reflects the Veteran’s report of headaches beginning during service in 2009, and continuing over time. The Veteran also related to Dr. Y. that he sustained injuries during service that that he had experienced headaches since that time. An examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current headache disorder.,Regarding the issue of whether the Veteran experiences neurological manifestations of his low back disability in his lower extremities, a VA examination is necessary to address these findings, and to determine whether the Veteran does in fact have neurological manifestations in his lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, sleep disorder (RLS), headache disorder (migraines), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder), disability characterized by elevated bilirubin, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, scar of the left knee, lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20037768
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 20037768.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
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