The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. For the initial rating period from August 11, 2016, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee DJD and instability is denied. TDIU for the period from December 20, 2011 to March 28, 2013 (excluding the period from November 28, 2012 to January 1, 2013 when the Veteran has a 100 percent (total) schedular rating) is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss met the criteria for service connection under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b), as he had continuous post-service symptoms and in-service noise exposure during service, which established a link between his current disability and service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, left knee DJD, left knee instability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20075641
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 20075641.
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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