The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his military service, and the claim for this condition is granted.,There is no evidence of a dental disability that warrants compensation. The Veteran’s gum condition does not meet the criteria for VA compensation.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran has a left knee condition, bilateral foot condition, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis related to his military service.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition is related to his military service.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran’s sinus conditions (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) are related to his military service.,No evidence of a preexisting sinus condition prior to service.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that VA examinations are necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's left knee, bilateral foot, allergic rhinitis, and sinus conditions as they may be related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Gum Condition, Left Knee Condition, Bilateral Foot Condition, Allergic Rhinitis, Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18149687
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 18149687.
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 Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, non allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while granting service connection for left knee strain and left leg shin splints.
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