The veteran's claims for increased ratings and new evidence of service connection were denied. The left ear hearing loss is rated as zero percent disabling, PTSD is rated at 30 percent, recurrent right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, gastritis has no service connection, URI does not have a current onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service, left knee sprain and right ankle sprain do not have a current onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service, and right ear hearing loss is not service connected.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support the need for higher ratings based on the veteran's symptoms and functional impairment. The claims were denied as there was no new evidence of record that would reopen the claim for low back pain.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), recurrent right knee strain, gastritis, upper respiratory infection (URI), sprained left knee, sprained right ankle, right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2008
- Citation
- 0826409
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 0826409.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding the diagnosis of gastritis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to provide records, and a VA examiner will review his medical history and determine if gastritis is related to his military service or any other conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
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