The appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for weight gain and obstructive sleep apnea are denied, but a higher initial rating of 30 percent for hyperhidrosis is granted with an effective date prior to May 1, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding service connection for right ear hearing loss. Service connection for weight gain and obstructive sleep apnea are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection or secondary service connection under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- right ear hearing loss, weight gain, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperhidrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19132540
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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 obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.