The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted.,The propriety of the reduced disability rating assigned for bilateral hearing loss from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective August 28, 2014, has also been dismissed. The Veteran's 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored.,For the period prior to March 30, 2018, the Veteran’s PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The weight of the evidence does not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was previously granted TDIU and his 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored, effectively resolving these issues.,The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to lack of total social impairment. The evidence showed occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran’s hearing loss did not warrant a higher than 40 percent rating as it was found to be at levels that corresponded to a 40 percent evaluation under the applicable VA criteria.,There is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment present, which would have warranted an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189307
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 19189307.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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