The Board has remanded four issues for further development: 1) an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for fracture of the right medial malleolus, 2) an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, 3) service connection for a disability of the nose (claimed as broken nose), and 4) service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a disability of the nose. The Veteran's claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current severity of the Veteran’s disabilities, including his fracture of the right medial malleolus, bilateral hearing loss, and current nose abnormalities, have not been accurately reflected in the existing VA examination reports. The Board also noted that there is a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current nose abnormalities are related to service or if they are caused by any aspect of his service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the right medial malleolus, bilateral hearing loss, disability of the nose (claimed as broken nose), obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18123618
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 18123618.
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 appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- 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.
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