The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and special monthly compensation for aid and attendance/housebound status.,The veteran's service-connected conditions include left ankle fracture, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, hypertension, tinnitus, abdominal aortic aneurysm (right iliac aneurysm, left iliac aneurysm), and bilateral hearing loss. The maximum schedular evaluation for his left ankle fracture is 20 percent.,The veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is 40 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of ankylosis in the left ankle, and therefore, the maximum schedular evaluation (20%) for limitation of motion is appropriate.,The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his combined rating being 40 percent. The Board also noted that the veteran has completed high school and had previous employment in food sales, which may affect his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.,The veteran's Social Security Disability benefits were awarded for aortic aneurysm and deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, but he was not found to be disabled due to service-connected disabilities alone.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the left ankle, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, hypertension, tinnitus, abdominal aortic aneurysm (right iliac aneurysm, left iliac aneurysm), bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2006
- Citation
- 0631004
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,293 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0631004.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
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