The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of service connection for left ear hearing loss, increased evaluation for right ear hearing loss, propriety of initial 30% evaluation for right hand weakness, evaluation for right knee hyperextension with instability and arthralgia, and increased rating for right leg incoordination (femoral nerve paralysis). The veteran's claims were not granted as the evidence did not support these claims.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no left ear hearing loss demonstrated by objective medical evidence. For the right ear hearing loss, the criteria for a higher rating were not met. The initial evaluation of 30% for right hand weakness was correct. The knee and leg incoordination conditions did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ear Hearing Loss, Right Ear Hearing Loss, Right Hand Weakness (Status Post Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Repair), Right Knee Hyperextension with Instability and Arthralgia, Right Leg Incoordination (Femoral Nerve Paralysis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0206581
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0206581.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is less likely than not caused by noise exposure during his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 31, 2020.
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