The Board has determined that the veteran's low back strain and duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia warrant increased evaluations, but his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed significant functional impairment in both the musculoskeletal system (low back) and gastrointestinal tract (duodenal ulcer), which warranted higher ratings. The veteran's bilateral high frequency hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on his audiometric test results.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Strain with Degenerative Changes, Duodenal Ulcer with Hiatal Hernia, Bilateral High Frequency Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2005
- Citation
- 0528511
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 0528511.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since October 31, 2021. The Board found that the disability is no worse than Level V in both ears and thus does not warrant a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: PTSD, low back strain with degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and recurrent right ankle sprain. The remand requires VA to obtain treatment records from the Taylor Street Vet Center in Washington, D.C., and to schedule the Veteran for examinations by appropriate clinicians to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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