The Veteran's service-connected eczematous rash with lichenification, bilateral lower legs is rated at 10 percent. The residual scars of the right eyebrow are not disfiguring and thus do not warrant a higher rating. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for compensable evaluation. The status post right tenth rib fracture has been granted a 10 percent rating effective March 1, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent. Headaches have been assigned a 30 percent rating as of July 9, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's eczematous rash with lichenification does not meet criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7806 due to the percentage of body affected and lack of systemic therapy. The scars are not disfiguring. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at level I, which is noncompensable. The status post right tenth rib fracture has been granted a compensable rating effective March 1, 2006. Degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine does not meet criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 5242. Headaches have been assigned a 30 percent rating as of July 9, 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- Eczematous Rash with Lichenification, Bilateral Lower Legs, Residual Scars of the Right Eyebrow, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Status Post Right Tenth Rib Fracture, Status Post Left Patella Fracture (Limited Flexion of the Knee), Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Headaches
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2010
- Citation
- 1030524
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 1030524.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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