The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right knee arthritis and cartilage loss from June 1, 2005 is dismissed. The earlier effective date claims for increased hearing loss and SMC based on hearing loss are denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not appeal the denial of a higher rating for right knee arthritis and cartilage loss, which became final in June 2018. The claims for increased ratings and SMC based on hearing loss are denied as there was no evidence of worsening within one year prior to January 10, 2018. The claim for tinnitus service connection is denied as the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to January 10, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee arthritis and cartilage loss, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- February 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21006880
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 21006880.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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