The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left arm scar prior to January 20, 2014 have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 20, 2014 is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left arm scar prior to January 20, 2014 during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The PTSD rating appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the severity of symptoms from December 2010 to January 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, left arm scar, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18126294
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 18126294.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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.
- 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 case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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