The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability and denied ratings in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 6, 2022, but granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective December 6, 2022. The claim for a rating in excess of 0 percent for prostate cancer residuals was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had a current psychiatric disability related to service or that his hearing loss warranted a higher rating prior to December 6, 2022, but it did support a 10 percent rating effective that date. Prostate cancer residuals were also found not to warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Psychiatric disability, Bilateral hearing loss, Prostate cancer residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2025
- Citation
- 25004493
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,645 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25004493.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his psychiatric disability was the initial decision, and thus attorney fees are not eligible based on past due benefits awarded in April 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance from June 1, 2011, to May 24, 2017, finding that his need for regular aid and attendance was not established during this period.
- Denied
The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were intermittent and did not significantly impair his occupational or social functioning.
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