The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip and ankle disorders, respiratory disorder, and bilateral knee disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions.,Specifically, the Veteran was found to not have current disabilities such as bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip or ankle disorders, or a respiratory condition.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not show that the Veteran currently has any of the claimed conditions. The medical records do not document any diagnoses for these conditions during the appeal period.,For example, there were no audiometric findings meeting the criteria for hearing loss under VA regulations, and post-service treatment records did not indicate current disabilities in hips or ankles. Similarly, respiratory symptoms were not documented.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip and ankle disorders, respiratory disorder, bilateral knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081530
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claim for a bilateral knee disability to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including scheduling an additional VA examination.
- 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).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and chronic pain syndrome due to untimely notices of disagreement.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.