The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating to 60 percent is denied.,The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is currently rated at 50 percent, but he contends that a higher rating of 100 percent is warranted.
The deciding factor: The audiological evaluations did not show the Veteran meeting the criteria for an increased disability rating due to his hearing loss. The VA examiner noted functional effects such as difficulty understanding speech and having to ask his wife to repeat herself, but these do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's IBS symptoms are rated at 30 percent based on moderate impairment in bowel function with occasional episodes of abdominal distress. The evidence does not support an increase to 60 percent due to the severity of his symptoms and functional impact.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran contends for a higher rating but did not provide additional evidence or arguments supporting such a claim.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2021
- Citation
- A21018248
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 A21018248.
What this means for you
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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 due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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