The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, 60 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with disc bulge at L3-L4, or 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claim for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, 60 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with disc bulge at L3-L4, or 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claim for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss was also denied.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Hearing Loss, Sinusitis, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine with Disc Bulge at L3-L4, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Shoulder, Residuals of a Right Knee Meniscectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2000
- Citation
- 0018843
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 0018843.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal.
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.