The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated as compensable, but service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee strain, and urticaria face, neck, back are granted.,Service connection is established for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee strain, and urticaria face, neck, back. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran has experienced symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea since service and was diagnosed with this condition post-service. There is no medical opinion contrary to a conclusion that the disability had its onset in service, thus granting service connection.,Service treatment records document the Veteran's left knee injury during service, and he has reported continuous symptoms since then. The VA examiner found that his current left knee disability likely began in service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee strain, urticaria face, neck, back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24037800
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 A24037800.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.