The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The ratings for left knee limitation of flexion, right knee instability, and right knee limitation of flexion are denied. A separate initial rating of 10 percent for left knee instability is granted. The Veteran's right knee scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence was in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was related to service, with the Board finding it more likely than not that his current condition is due to service exposure. For other conditions, the ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, left knee limitation of flexion, right knee instability, left knee instability, right knee limitation of flexion, left knee scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22002730
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 22002730.
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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