The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's attorney requested additional evidence but did not specify a specific examiner.
The deciding factor: The audiometric results showed Level IV and V hearing loss in both ears, which do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hearing Loss"}, {"condition_name":"Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)"}, {"condition_name":"Tinnitus"}, {"condition_name":"Left Arm Scar"}, {"condition_name":"Lumbosacral Strain"}, {"condition_name":"Left Lumbar Radiculopathy"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081400
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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