The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, healed fractures of the ribs, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The claim for service connection for a right knee injury has also been denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond 20 percent for the Veteran's chronic thoracolumbar strain with secondary posttraumatic arthritis or healed fractures of the ribs, and there is no indication that these conditions have resulted in incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating. The bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated at its current level.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic thoracolumbar strain with secondary posttraumatic arthritis, Healed fractures of the right seventh and left second through seventh ribs, with history of a left hemopneumothorax, Cervical spine arthritis and spondylosis (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0945112
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 0945112.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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