The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has denied an increased rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction. The left knee shrapnel wound scar is rated as noncompensable, while PTSD is rated at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The left knee shrapnel wound scar was found not to warrant a compensable rating, while PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Diabetic Retinopathy and Erectile Dysfunction, Left Knee Shrapnel Wound Scar, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151433
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 18151433.
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 claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.