The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, DJD of the knees, and hearing loss have been granted. The claim to reopen his left shoulder strain was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran's symptoms were consistent with a diagnosis of right shoulder strain, DJD of both knees, and bilateral hearing loss, warranting increased ratings under the appropriate diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Strain, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Right Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Left Knee, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2007
- Citation
- 0733739
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0733739.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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