Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The issue of service connection for respiratory difficulties as due to Gulf War syndrome has been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for hernia (claimed as abdominal discomfort) as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of disability level meeting VA requirements.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding respiratory difficulties as due to Gulf War syndrome prior to a decision being made.,Presumptive service connection is granted for irritable bowel syndrome, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a).,Remand is required due to insufficient evidence on the nature and etiology of sleep apnea.,Remand is required due to insufficient evidence on whether hernia is related to irritable bowel syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, respiratory difficulties (Gulf War syndrome), irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, hernia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22046411
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 22046411.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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