The Veteran's petition to restore the rating for chronic laceration residuals at the right lower extremity was granted. Service connection was established for a left ankle disorder, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and various finger conditions. The reduction in ratings for some disabilities was found to be improper.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the rating of the Veteran's chronic laceration residuals from 30% to 20% effective February 2, 2022 was determined to be improper due to a lack of evidence showing permanent improvement. Service connection for left ankle disorder and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were established.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic laceration residuals, left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, painful motion of the index finger of the right hand, painful motion of the long finger of the right hand, painful motion of the ring finger of the right hand, painful motion of the little finger of the right hand, right ankle degenerative and traumatic arthritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2024
- Citation
- A24082775
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 A24082775.
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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