The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a rating higher than 10 percent for his left knee disability are denied. However, he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee throughout the period under consideration. The remaining claims (for GERD, cervical strain, and sleep disorder) are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have sufficient hearing loss in either ear to be considered a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes. His left knee disability is manifested by flexion to greater than 60 degrees but with instability that is mild or slight in degree. The claims for GERD, cervical strain, and sleep disorder are remanded as new evidence has revealed other diagnoses.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Left Knee Disability (Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome), GERD, Cervical Strain (Neck Disability), Sleep Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 13, 2022
- Citation
- 22028582
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 22028582.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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.
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