The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection. An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 7, 2016 was denied. From September 7, 2016 to September 26, 2019, an initial 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted. A higher than 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss after September 26, 2019 is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was linked to a verified in-service stressor and his current diagnosis of PTSD is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 7, 2016 was denied because the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. From September 7, 2016 to September 26, 2019, a 10% rating was granted based on the Veteran's current hearing acuity levels.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22029162
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22029162.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
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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