The claim of higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claims of service connection for back disability, neck disability, vertigo and dizziness, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.
The deciding factor: The appellant withdrew the appeal regarding the increased rating for bilateral hearing loss during a Board hearing. The Veteran's back and neck disabilities were found to be due to willful misconduct, precluding service connection. There is no evidence of current vertigo or dizziness related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was expanded to include PTSD but still lacks sufficient evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, back disability, neck disability, vertigo and dizziness, acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20011772
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 20011772.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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