The Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Multiple service connection claims are remanded.
The deciding factor: PTSD and hearing loss do not warrant increased ratings based on current evidence; other conditions require further development to determine their validity and appropriate disability ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Left Ear Hearing Loss, Cervical Spine Disability, Nerve Damage of Bilateral Upper Extremities, Headaches, Eye Condition (Binocular Vision), Right Shoulder Disability with Surgical Residuals and Joint Pain, Left Shoulder Disability with Surgical Residuals and Joint Pain, Bilateral Shoulder Scars, Left Wrist Tendonitis, Right Wrist Tendonitis, Finger Condition with Arthritis and Joint Pain, Right Hip Disability, Left Knee Disability with Joint Pain, Tendonitis of Bilateral Achilles Tendons, Foot Condition (Plantar Fasciitis and Pes Planus), Toe Pain with Surgical Residuals, Fungal Condition of Left Great Toe, Heat Stroke, Lyme Disease, Respiratory Condition (Bronchitis with Pneumonia), Stomach Condition, Genitourinary Condition (Urinary Frequency)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2023
- Citation
- A23034784
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 A23034784.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of persistent daytime hypersomnolence or other manifestations consistent with a compensable disability rating under the criteria established by Diagnostic Codes. The matter is remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his headaches and their impact on his daily life.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right knee strain (painful motion), and right knee instability are now rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2017.
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