The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus disability was rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder prior to April 6, 2017 was rated at 30 percent, but from that date forward it is rated at 50 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,No specific service connection theory or exposure basis was provided in the decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his pure tone thresholds were within the noncompensable range. The Veteran’s persistent depressive disorder met the criteria for a higher rating but not at the maximum of 70 percent.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder prior to April 6, 2017 was rated at 30 percent and from that date forward it is rated at 50 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent or higher rating.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder met the criteria for a 50 percent rating, but not a higher one due to occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Persistent Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18100651
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 18100651.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
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