The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, and back disability. However, it granted a total disability unemployability rating (TDIU) and special monthly compensation based on the regular need for aid and attendance from April 25, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to service for hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder, and back conditions. However, it determined that the Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder prevented him from obtaining and sustaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Tinnitus, Left shoulder disability, Back disability (lumbosacral strain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2022
- Citation
- 22000853
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 appeal for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the left ear hearing loss and service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy has aggravated his bilateral hearing loss.
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