The Veteran's claim for initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with a rating of 10 percent. The claims for reopening service connection for postoperative degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left shoulder disorder have also been granted. Service connection for vertigo is denied. The right hip arthritis claim remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision. The right knee arthritis and right ankle disorders are both rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss meets the criteria for a noncompensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6100, with an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment resulting in Level VI hearing acuity in the right ear. The claims for reopening service connection have been granted based on new and material evidence submitted since previous decisions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, postoperative degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, right ankle disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 26, 2010
- Citation
- 1007132
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 1007132.
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 service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- 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.
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