The Veteran's initial rating for TBI prior to April 28, 2016 was denied. A total rating of 100 percent is granted effective from April 28, 2016. The earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo as well as service connection for residuals of TBI are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his TBI prior to April 28, 2016 was denied due to the level of impairment not meeting the criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating. However, effective from that date, he is granted a total rating based on the severity of his cognitive impairments.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Bilateral Hearing Loss, Vertigo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18151098
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 18151098.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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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