The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. He was awarded a non-compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee with residuals of arthrotomy and fracture of the left tibia is now considered secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee. His lumbar strain with straightening of the lumbar alignment was also found to be related to his service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his perforated eardrum is not productive of chronic supporative otitis media or other specified conditions. His right knee disability is secondary to his left knee disability, and his lumbar strain is also considered secondary.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear hearing loss, Degenerative joint disease of the left knee with residuals of arthrotomy and fracture of the left tibia, Lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2007
- Citation
- 0730879
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 0730879.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities have been granted, including a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
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