The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (claimed as collapsed left lung), cardiovascular disability (claimed as high blood pressure and increased heart rate), right knee disability, left knee disability, left chest scar, and unspecified depressive disorder.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the claimed disabilities and service. The Board has found no current diagnoses or chronic symptoms related to the Veteran’s in-service complaints, and there is conflicting evidence regarding the nature of his respiratory disability (collapsed left lung).
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Respiratory disability (claimed as collapsed left lung), Cardiovascular disability (claimed as high blood pressure and increased heart rate), Right knee disability, Left knee disability, Left chest scar, Unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21023181
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 21023181.
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 Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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