The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left ankle disability, but denied increased ratings for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating for the left ear hearing loss or PFB, but was at least evenly balanced as to whether the left ankle disability warranted a 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear sensorineural hearing loss, Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, left ankle with Achilles enthesopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25028857
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.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, and a left eye disorder. However, it granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to the back disability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck injury, including degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and history of spinal fusion, based on the evidence showing chronicity since service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 25, 2025 for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and levoscoliosis.
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