The Veteran's bilateral chondromalacia of the patella was first manifested in service and is presumed to be related to his active duty. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's current knee disorder is related to service.,The Veteran's low frequency, mixed hearing loss disability in the right ear was first manifested many years after separation from service and there is clear and unmistakable evidence against a finding that it is in any way related to service. The tinnitus is presumed to be due to exposure to sound of gunfire during combat.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus are presumed based on his participation in combat, while the knee disorder is presumed based on its manifestation in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral chondromalacia of the patella, Low frequency, mixed hearing loss disability in the right ear, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2014
- Citation
- 1418672
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 1418672.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- 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.
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