The decision restores service connection for bilateral hearing loss and grants increased ratings for left elbow scar, left knee instability, and remands the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including a request for increased ratings and a determination regarding total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision also includes a finding that service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be restored effective July 1, 2013.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Left elbow scar, Left knee instability, Osteoarthritis of the left knee, Low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18132325
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18132325.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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