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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19165135
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,037 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19165135.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right ear hearing loss due to untimely filing.,The Board also dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss as moot because it was already granted in a prior decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.
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