The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service hearing loss or PTSD, and the current conditions are considered to be related to the natural progression of aging rather than military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current hearing loss was more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) rather than service connection. For PTSD, the evidence showed significant social and occupational impairment but no clear indication of a nexus between the current symptoms and service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 9, 2006
- Citation
- 0624055
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 0624055.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for PTSD to be readjudicated on the merits due to new and relevant evidence.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, except for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability which were granted. The veteran was also granted service connection for hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including tension headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board also denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's headache disability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
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