The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD that is attributed to military sexual trauma experienced during service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, secondary to left ear hearing loss, is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was diagnosed based on his reported military sexual trauma during service. Service connection is established due to the presumption of in-service incurrence where continuous service is demonstrated and a disability becomes manifest within one year of separation from service.,Right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss were not shown by VA audiometric testing at the Veteran's separation from service, as they do not meet regulatory requirements for a current disability. Tinnitus was diagnosed secondary to left ear hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Ear Hearing Loss, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2015
- Citation
- 1545504
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 1545504.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- 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.
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