The Veteran's PTSD is not productive of occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran has no worse than Level I hearing loss in each ear, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,Service connection for pain in the left foot with swelling, numbness, tingling toes, and frost bite is denied as there is no evidence of such disability related to service exposure or cold injury.,Service connection for pain in the right hand with numbness and tingling is denied as there is no evidence of such disability related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not cause occupational and social impairment that would warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran has bilateral hearing loss with pure tone thresholds averaging no worse than Level I in both ears. The evidence does not support an increased rating based on exceptional hearing loss or other criteria.,There is no credible evidence linking the left foot disability to service exposure, including cold injury. The Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,The right hand disability has been evaluated as a separate issue and there is no evidence of such disability being linked to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Hearing Loss, Left Foot Disability, Right Hand Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2021
- Citation
- A21018628
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 A21018628.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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