The Veteran's left ankle DJD, status-post fracture was granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to December 18, 2019. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a non-compensable rating prior to April 26, 2017; a 20 percent rating from April 26, 2017 until May 4, 2018; and a 10 percent rating since May 4, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left ankle DJD met the criteria for a higher initial rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings due to lack of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or other factors warranting a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle DJD (degenerative joint disease), status-post fracture, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20071011
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 20071011.
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's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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