The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is granted. For the entire period on appeal, entitlement to an initial disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD is granted. Beginning June 29, 2016, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted. The issues of service connection for joint pain, neurological symptoms, and left knee strain are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was found to be established as a current condition due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was granted based on the evidence showing worsening hearing acuity during active duty (AD) service. The initial rating for PTSD was granted at 100 percent, with the reasoning that there is occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, and difficulty understanding complex commands.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear hearing loss disability, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Joint pain, Neurological symptoms, Left knee strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22055928
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 22055928.
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 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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