The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran received a 60 percent rating for GERD since March 21, 2015, and a 30 percent rating for IBS since the same date. A more than 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder was denied as of June 6, 2024.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability, which is required for service connection under VA regulations. The Veteran's GERD symptoms were rated at the maximum schedular rating due to his vomiting. His IBS was rated at the maximum schedular rating based on its severity. The PTSD with alcohol use disorder, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder did not meet the criteria for a more than 70 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Alcohol Use Disorder, Depressive Disorder, and Insomnia Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 19, 2024
- Citation
- 24034473
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 24034473.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 2020, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied a higher initial rating and TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC based on housebound status.
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