The claim for a higher rating for PTSD is denied.,The claim to reopen the service connection for left elbow arthritis is denied.,Service connection for esophageal cancer due to herbicide exposure has been granted.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 30, 2015 is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from September 30, 2015 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted.,Service connection for the cause of death (esophageal cancer) due to herbicide exposure has been granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for PTSD, as there is no total occupational and social impairment or gross impairment in thought processes or communication. The Veteran's symptoms do not justify a higher rating.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for left elbow arthritis. The evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying service connection claim.,The esophageal cancer is found to be at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure in service, based on a medical opinion from the Veteran's treating physician.,Prior to September 30, 2015, the bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence shows that the Veteran’s auditory acuity is no worse than Level IV in both ears.,From September 30, 2015 onwards, the bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. The evidence shows that the Veteran’s auditory acuity is no worse than Level VI in both ears.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted based on his service-connected disabilities and their combined effect on his ability to work.,Service connection for the cause of death (esophageal cancer) due to herbicide exposure has been granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Left Elbow Arthritis, Esophageal Cancer
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19117503
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,506 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19117503.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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