The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD rating is granted, and service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD are all granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome are also granted. Service connection for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the submission of new evidence that reopened the claim for bilateral hearing loss, granting increased ratings for PTSD (70% instead of 50%), and granting service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome were also granted.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2022
- Citation
- 22069214
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 22069214.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
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