The Veteran's left leg thrombophlebitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,Service connection for diffuse degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence supported a finding that the condition was incurred in service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The deciding factor: The symptoms of thrombophlebitis were characterized by intermittent edema and aching in the leg after prolonged standing or walking, which are consistent with the criteria for a 10 percent rating. The RO continued the 10 percent rating as the Veteran's symptoms had not yet become sustained.,The VA examiner found diffuse disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine to be at least as likely as not incurred in service due to a fall during service, and this opinion was considered credible by the Board.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran’s left ear hearing loss was less likely related to service because there was no significant shift in hearing thresholds beyond normal measurement variability from entrance to separation. However, the Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the condition is etiologically related to service.

Claimed conditions

thrombophlebitis, diffuse degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left ear hearing loss

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

August 22, 2019

Citation

19165135

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 19165135.