The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are granted. The left foot disability rating is restored to 20 percent, effective November 1, 2018. A separate 10% rating for plantar fasciitis is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a VA disability rating. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) was established based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and current symptoms. The reduction of the left foot disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper, but restored.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Hearing Loss, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including PTSD and Depression)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21009627
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 21009627.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is less likely than not caused by noise exposure during his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for HTN and right ear hearing loss were granted. A separate 10% rating was granted for painful limitation of flexion in the bilateral knees, while a denial was issued for an increased rating for central serous choretinopathy and for a rating in excess of 10% for bilateral lateral instability.
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