The Veteran's restoration of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Issues regarding increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee degenerative arthritis, and depression are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.
The deciding factor: The reduction in disability rating from 20 percent to noncompensable was improper as sustained material improvement in the disability that would be maintained under ordinary conditions of life was not shown.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Left Knee Disorder (Medial Meniscectomy Residuals, Limitation of Extension), Right Knee Degenerative Arthritis, Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2022
- Citation
- 22058387
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 22058387.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.
- 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.
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