The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. His hearing loss claim was granted, but not to a higher rating. Service connection for arthritis and PTSD was also denied. Increased ratings of 30% each were granted for his cold injury foot disabilities.
The deciding factor: Service connection could not be established as the veteran did not have arthritis that was either present in or related to his active duty service, nor is it proximately due to a service-connected condition. The criteria for increased ratings under DC 7122 were met for both feet.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis, Hearing Loss, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 3, 2003
- Citation
- 0333648
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 0333648.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for PTSD but granted an earlier effective date for TDIU of August 6, 2012.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claims for increased rating for diabetes and hearing loss, granted service connection for chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes, and remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right third toe disability and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding evidence and further development.
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.