The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder have been rated, with the most recent rating of 50% for anxiety disorder effective August 18, 2016. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's anxiety disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting the current 50% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9413 of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. His bilateral hearing loss is rated noncompensable prior to August 18, 2016, but at 50% thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Anxiety and Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1720794
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 1720794.
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 bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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