The appeal of the denial of an increased rating for hearing loss is dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for low back disability, left eye disability, and skin disability are granted. Service connection for left eye disability is also granted.,Entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, vascular disease including hypertension, Raynaud's syndrome, headaches, low back disability, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and a compensable rating for right forehead scar are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of an increased rating for hearing loss.,New and material evidence was received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disability, left eye disability, and skin disability. Service connection is granted for left eye disability due to in-service trauma resulting in a chorioretinal scar that caused vision loss.,The Veteran's current mental health diagnoses include major depressive disorder and possible PTSD. The evidence shows the Veteran has a history of head injuries during service and reports having dreams about being beaten with rifles, suggesting a nexus between his current mental health conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss, low back disability, left eye disability, skin condition, depressive disorder, vascular disease including hypertension, Raynaud's syndrome, headaches, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, right forehead scar
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19179474
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hearing loss, painful scar, patellofemoral pain syndromes of the knees, and other conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
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.