The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, bowel and bladder dysfunction, hip impairments, ankle strains, flat feet, knee limitations of flexion, shoulder disability, elbow bursitis/limitation of flexion, and tension headaches have been granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his right hip impairment and limitation of extension as well as a 60 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability effective November 13, 2014.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the Veteran's service records and medical evidence that supported the claims for service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran had documented exposure to noise during service which led to hearing loss in both ears. His lumbar spine disability caused incapacitating episodes over a period of 6 weeks, qualifying him for a higher rating under the Formula for Rating IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes. Other conditions were also found to be related to his service-connected disabilities or had been proven by new evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Hearing Loss, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Lumbar Spine Disability, Bladder Dysfunction, Bowel Dysfunction, Right Hip Limitation of Extension, Left Hip Limitation of Extension, Right Hip Impairment, Left Hip Impairment, Right Ankle Strain, Left Ankle Strain, Bilateral Flat Feet, Right Knee Limitation of Flexion, Left Knee Limitation of Flexion, Right Shoulder Disability, Right Elbow Bursitis/Limitation of Flexion, Tension Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21022485
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 21022485.
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
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The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
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