The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and his PTSD is rated as thirty percent disabling. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,For TDIU, the Veteran asserts he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected PTSD and prostate cancer. However, the Board determined that his service-connected disabilities alone are insufficient to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The objective test results for bilateral hearing loss did not show impairment warranting an increased rating under the schedular criteria.,The Veteran's symptoms were found to be more closely approximating a 30 percent rating, which is already assigned. The Board concluded that his PTSD symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disease (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19127667
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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