The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent and noncompensable, effective from September 27, 2007.,The Veteran’s shell fragment wound of the left leg and knee with moderate instability of the knee, mild internal derangement, and mild muscle injury, muscle group XII, is currently classified as moderate and rated at 10 percent, effective from May 1, 1993. The Board determined that his condition more closely approximates a moderate muscle disability.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 10 percent, effective from November 20, 2002. The medical evidence shows intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia without weight loss or hepatomegaly.
The deciding factor: The pure tone threshold values in the Veteran's ears were consistently below levels that would warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA schedule for hearing impairment.,The medical evidence did not show any more than intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia without weight loss or hepatomegaly, which is inconsistent with his testimony of daily symptoms. The Veteran was receiving treatment for hepatitis C during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's hepatitis C medication caused sluggishness, weakness, and loss of appetite, but these were not consistent with his medical records showing he had completed his hepatitis C treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, shell fragment wound of the left leg and knee with moderate instability of the knee, mild internal derangement, and mild muscle injury, muscle group XII, hepatitis C
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18127669
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 18127669.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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