The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to service exposure, and he is granted service connection. The PTSD rating remains at 50% as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The diabetes mellitus rating remains at 20%.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on noise exposure during service leading to current bilateral hearing loss. PTSD symptoms do not warrant an increased rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, consistent with the current 50% evaluation. Diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20%, reflecting use of oral hypoglycemic agents and restricted diet.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 29, 2014
- Citation
- 1424124
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 1424124.
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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