The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss prior to October 20, 2022 and for bilateral hearing loss thereafter. For knee disabilities, the Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for left knee instability after October 25, 2022 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability. The low back disability claim was also remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for compensable ratings under the applicable VA regulations due to lack of functional impairment or other factors that would warrant higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ear Hearing Loss, Right Knee Instability, Left Knee Instability, Low Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23020911
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23020911.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right knee strain (painful motion), and right knee instability are now rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2017.
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