The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not found to be related to his military service, atrial fibrillation did not warrant a higher rating, bilateral hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation, degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee were rated appropriately, and instability of the left knee warranted a separate 10 percent rating. The Veteran's right shoulder condition was also rated appropriately.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of medical evidence linking it to military service. Atrial fibrillation did not meet criteria for an increased evaluation as there were less than four episodes per month documented by ECG or Holter monitor. Bilateral hearing loss was rated appropriately with Level I acuity in both ears. Degenerative joint disease and associated patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, left knee, and right shoulder were all rated appropriately based on clinical findings.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, degenerative joint disease and associated patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, degenerative joint disease and associated patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0946601
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 0946601.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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