The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The veteran's hiatal hernia and duodenal ulcer are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that a compensable rating is warranted based on their severity.,The cervical strain with limitation of motion is found to be secondary to service-connected low back disability. The Board grants service connection for this condition.,The veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not considered to be related to his service or any service-connected disability, and the Board denies service connection.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in Level I (60%) or higher hearing acuity in either ear.,The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine results in forward flexion to 50 degrees, extension to 10 degrees, rotation to 10 degrees, and lateral bending to 20 degrees bilaterally. This does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is currently rated at 20 percent.,The veteran's hiatal hernia and duodenal ulcer are manifested by mild symptoms that are usually controlled with medication. The Board finds these conditions warrant a compensable rating of 10 percent.,The cervical strain with limitation of motion is found to be secondary to the service-connected low back disability, as evidenced by its muscular nature and relation to the veteran's lumbar spine condition.,The veteran's bilateral knee disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection as it is unrelated to his service or any service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hiatal hernia and duodenal ulcer, cervical strain with limitation of motion, bilateral knee disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2008
- Citation
- 0805117
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 0805117.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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