The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for bilateral dry eye with pinguecula and conjunctivitis, while denying increased ratings for cervical strain, degenerative disc disease, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right hip strain, limitation of flexion, right hip strain, impairment of thigh, tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis, and tinnitus.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. However, the Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome was comparable to a disorder of the lacrimal apparatus affecting both eyes, warranting a 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Bilateral dry eye with pinguecula and conjunctivitis, Cervical strain, Degenerative disc disease, Left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, Right hip strain, limitation of flexion, Right hip strain, impairment of thigh, Tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2024
- Citation
- A24069852
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the left ear hearing loss and service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy has aggravated his bilateral hearing loss.
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