The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, coronary artery disease (CAD), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The CAD rating has been increased to 60 percent effective October 10, 2020, for the period prior to that date, and a 50 percent rating is assigned for bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder was found to be service-connected based on direct evidence of its onset during active service. The VA examiners provided opinions linking the current CAD symptoms directly to service. For bilateral hearing loss, the October 2020 VA examination showed a left ear with an LVEF of 60-65 percent and right ear at Level XI, meeting the criteria for a 60 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21074997
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 21074997.
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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