The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were granted, with the right shoulder disability being granted direct service connection. The hearing loss claim was denied as not meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For osteoarthritis and lumbosacral strain with IVDS, a 10 percent evaluation was granted prior to November 28, 2008, and a 20 percent evaluation thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right shoulder disability was found to be directly related to service without any presumption or secondary connection. The hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For the lumbosacral strain with IVDS, the evidence showed that prior to November 28, 2008, the condition met the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5235-5243. After this date, the Veteran's symptoms warranted a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2010
- Citation
- 1003937
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 1003937.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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