The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, left knee instability, osteoarthritis of the left knee, limited extension of the left knee, right knee instability, osteoarthritis of the right knee, or limited extension of the right knee prior to the specified dates. Microcytic hypochromic anemia was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations and there were no exceptional patterns of hearing impairment present on examination. The left knee instability, osteoarthritis of the left knee, limited extension of the left knee, right knee instability, osteoarthritis of the right knee, or limited extension of the right knee did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Osteoarthritis of the Left Knee, Limited Extension of the Left Knee, Left Total Knee Arthroplasty, Right Knee Instability, Osteoarthritis of the Right Knee, Limited Extension of the Right Knee, Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2018
- Citation
- 1816125
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 1816125.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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 Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
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