The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hearing loss in the right ear was not shown in service or within a year thereafter, while left ear hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable. The left knee disability does not warrant an increase beyond the current 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran's hearing loss in either ear was incurred or aggravated by active military service and no presumption of service connection could be applied. The clinical findings for the left ear hearing loss were within normal limits, and the veteran's left knee disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss of the right ear, Left ear hearing loss disability, Degenerative changes of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2002
- Citation
- 0215275
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 0215275.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of both ears as there was no evidence of a current disability in accordance with VA standards.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and denied an earlier effective date for urinary incontinence, while remanding claims for bowel incontinence and right ear hearing loss.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as remanded several other claims.
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