The veteran's claims for PTSD, gunshot wound residuals, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The VA determined that the PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation, the gunshot wound residuals met criteria for a 20% evaluation, there was no compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus warranted only a 10% evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the veteran's PTSD symptoms were primarily manifested by irritability and outbursts of anger, social isolation, and hypervigilance, resulting in significant but not total occupational and social impairment. The gunshot wound residuals resulted in moderate injury with no artery, nerve, or bone involvement, debridement, and return to light duty. Left ear hearing loss was Level I, and tinnitus warranted only a 10% evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Residuals of Gunshot Wound to Muscle Group III, Right Upper Arm, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2001
- Citation
- 0106139
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 0106139.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
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