For the period prior to December 29, 2021, an evaluation in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,For the period beginning December 29, 2021, an increased rating of 30 percent disabling for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability (to include arthritis) is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability (to include arthritis) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss was rated based on the results of his VA audiometric testing, which resulted in noncompensable ratings prior to December 29, 2021 and a rating of 30 percent disabling beginning December 29, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Sleep Apnea, Right Knee Disability (Arthritis), Left Knee Disability (Arthritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2022
- Citation
- 22033918
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 22033918.
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 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 Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
- 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.
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