The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have developed due to combat-related noise exposure. The effective date for these ratings is not specified.
The deciding factor: PTSD symptoms are consistent with the criteria for a 50 percent rating under the old VA Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders (prior to November 7, 1996). Bilateral hearing loss is presumed due to combat-related noise exposure in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2000
- Citation
- 0006485
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0006485.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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