The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear is remanded.,Entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for right hip disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for left knee disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, is remanded.

The deciding factor: No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for left ear hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,The recent evidentiary submissions do not tend to show that the Veteran’s right ear hearing loss had its onset in service or permanently worsened as a result of service. No new and material evidence has been presented.,No additional evidence was received within the one-year appeal period, and no additional service records have been received at any time. The recent evidentiary submissions do not tend to show that the Veteran’s back condition developed in service or is otherwise related to in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of right ear hearing loss.,A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran has a right knee meniscal condition causing his reported symptoms. The examiner must also opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s right hip disorder or left knee disorder are proximately due to service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee.,A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran has a right knee meniscal condition causing his reported symptoms. The examiner must also opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s right hip disorder or left knee disorder are proximately due to service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee.

Claimed conditions

sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip disorder, left knee disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 22, 2020

Citation

20005166