The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and alcohol dependence are related to service. The weight of the evidence is against a finding that bilateral hearing loss was manifested during service or otherwise shown to be related to the Veteran's active service. Tinnitus was exhibited in service.
The deciding factor: The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and his military service, granting service connection for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and alcohol dependence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no clear evidence that current hearing loss disability manifested within one year of separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Dependence
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1606699
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 1606699.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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