The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, IBS, anxiety disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left and right knee patellofemoral arthritis have all been granted service connection. The Veteran is also assigned separate ratings for his lower extremity and knee conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence established that the Veteran's hearing loss began in service, IBS was diagnosed as a compensable disability, anxiety disorder was related to service, radiculopathy and patellofemoral arthritis were found to be associated with his back disability, and the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 6602 (asthma) and 5010 (patellofemoral arthritis) have not been met.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), anxiety disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee patellofemoral arthritis, right knee patellofemoral arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19106273
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 withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and granted initial 40 percent ratings for left upper extremity CTS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from April 15, 2017, solely based on his unspecified anxiety disorder. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.
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