The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of service connection. The veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on in-service noise exposure during combat service in Vietnam, which led to current hearing loss and PTSD symptoms. The VA examiner did not find a direct link between the current hearing loss and service, but rather attributed it to a head injury post-service. For PTSD, the Board found that the veteran's continuity of symptomatology since service supported his claim.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 3, 2008
- Citation
- 0818104
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 0818104.
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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- 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.
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