The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, GERD, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Right knee arthritis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to a chronic condition manifesting within one year of separation from active duty. GERD is found to be related to service based on continuity of symptoms since service. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered as the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed disability.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that right knee arthritis was incurred in service due to chronicity under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a). GERD was found to be related to service based on continuity of symptoms since service, as evidenced by the Veteran's STRs and his statements regarding persistent symptoms. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered as there is no current diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, GERD
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- December 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18159850
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 18159850.
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'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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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