The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings for chondromalacia patella syndrome (right knee) and tendonitis (left shoulder), as well as an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines, chronic sinusitis, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood have been remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and examinations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's appeals were dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeals, indicating a full understanding of the consequences. The appeals are not jurisdictional issues but rather requests to withdraw from further consideration.
- Claimed conditions
- Allergic Rhinitis, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Chondromalacia Patella Syndrome (Right Knee), Chondromalacia Patella Syndrome (Left Knee), Chronic Lumbar Strain, Tendonitis, Left Shoulder, Migraines, Chronic Sinusitis, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21020831
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 21020831.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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 Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.