The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to August 1, 2020. From that date onwards, the rating for this condition has been increased to 70 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits. The special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance allowance for a dependent spouse is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's acuity levels, which were within normal limits.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. From August 1, 2020, this condition is manifested by more severe symptoms that meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 2, 2021
- Citation
- 21005591
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 21005591.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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