The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been assigned the maximum available ratings.,For DJD of the right foot, a 10 percent rating has been granted prior to December 17, 2014, with an increased 20 percent rating thereafter. For DJD of the left foot, a 10 percent rating has been granted prior to December 17, 2014, with an increased 20 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran's Dupuytren's disease of the right hand and left hand have each received a non-compensable initial rating. The Veteran's DJD of the left hand has received a 10 percent initial rating.,Restless leg syndrome is rated as moderate impairment, but no higher.,Right inguinal hernia is small and reducible; it does not require surgery to treat.,The scars from cyst removal have been assigned non-compensable ratings. The scar of the right wrist has a linear length of 1.1 cm., while the scar of the neck measures 0.8 cm. by 0.2 cm.,There is no evidence of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist or a right elbow disability due to disease or injury in service.,The Veteran's recurrent benign cysts and plantar warts have been rated as non-compensable from July 1, 2010.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations and the applicable rating criteria. The maximum available ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been assigned. For DJD of the right foot and left foot, staged ratings have been applied as per the progression of symptoms. Dupuytren's disease of the right hand and left hand are rated non-compensably disabling. DJD of the left hand is rated 10 percent disabling. Restless leg syndrome is rated moderate impairment. Right inguinal hernia does not require surgery to treat. The scars from cyst removal have been assigned non-compensable ratings. There is no evidence of a ganglion cyst or right elbow disability in service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, Dupuytren's disease of the right hand, Dupuytren's disease of the left hand, DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease) of the right foot, DJD of the left foot, restless leg syndrome, right inguinal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1733578
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 1733578.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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