The Veteran's COPD is granted as related to in-service exposure to asbestos and construction particulates.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, other specified trauma-related disorder, or depression, is denied due to lack of a valid diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as not having manifested within one year of separation from service or being otherwise related to service exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.
The deciding factor: The opinion provided by Dr. C.K. supports the claim that COPD is related to in-service asbestos exposure, while VA examiners found no evidence of PTSD under DSM-5 criteria and concluded there was insufficient evidence linking bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus to service.,VA examiners did not find a valid diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability under DSM-5 criteria. The Veteran's symptoms were considered inconsistent with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, anxiety, other specified trauma-related disorder, or depression.,Service treatment records are silent on complaints, treatment, or diagnoses related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. VA conceded hazardous noise exposure but denied service connection due to lack of evidence showing manifestation within one year of separation or being otherwise related to service.,VA examiners found no valid diagnosis for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, concluding they were not related to in-service noise exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disability (COPD), acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2022
- Citation
- 22071586
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 22071586.
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.
- 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 claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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