The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer is found to be the proximate cause of his current unspecified anxiety disorder. His right ear hearing loss is considered a disability for purposes of service connection, but there is insufficient evidence to establish that it manifested within one year of service.
The deciding factor: The addendum opinion provided by VA indicates that the Veteran's currently diagnosed unspecified anxiety disorder is directly related to recent life stressors, including his diagnosis with prostate cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- Unspecified anxiety disorder, Hearing loss, right ear
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22067170
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 22067170.
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 Board has granted service connection for PTSD, insomnia/sleep disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder (also claimed as anxiety, depression, and panic disorder) due to the Veteran's in-service stressful events.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear has been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and thus, cannot establish a link to service. For prostate cancer, the Veteran's claim is remanded as VA did not provide an opinion regarding whether his condition may be related to service due to toxic exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, which the Board finds meets the criteria for a TDIU.
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