The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). Right ear hearing loss is found to be aggravated by service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was aggravated by his active service, warranting service connection. Left ear hearing loss did not meet the regulatory criteria for VA compensation purposes at any time during the period on appeal. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental health condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear hearing loss, Left ear hearing loss, Acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression)
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- September 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18137419
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 18137419.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
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