Service connection for PTSD is granted, effective May 22, 2023.,Effective May 22, 2023, service connection for right total hip replacement and related conditions are granted.,An earlier effective date of May 22, 2023, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.,Effective May 22, 2023, service connection for recurrent tinnitus is granted.,Effective May 22, 2023, service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a finding that PTSD is related to in-service experiences as a first responder.,The Veteran continuously pursued his claims within one year of filing an intent to file, meeting the requirement for earlier effective dates.,Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was manifested and rated appropriately based on VA criteria.,Recurrent tinnitus met the schedular rating criteria for 10% disability.,Degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis met the schedular criteria for a 40% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Total Hip Replacement, Surgical Scar Residual Right Total Hip Replacement, Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Recurrent Tinnitus, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine with Degenerative Arthritis and Spinal Stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26028126
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 A26028126.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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