The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and PTSD. The claim for service connection for atrophy of the right testicle, right hand disorder, and benign masses was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received. Additionally, the veteran's duodenal ulcer disease with hiatal hernia, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were all found to be without legal basis for a higher rating.

The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no competent medical evidence linking current left knee or PTSD conditions to service. The veteran did not engage in combat as his military records showed no such designation. As the stressor allegations could not be verified, the claim of service connection for PTSD was denied. No new and material evidence had been received to reopen claims for atrophy of the right testicle, right hand disorder, or benign masses. The duodenal ulcer disease with hiatal hernia did not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not produce moderate ulcer symptoms or persistently recurrent symptoms of esophageal reflux disease. Bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were also found to be without legal basis for a higher rating.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Left Knee Disorder","type_of_disorder":"Fracture"}, {"condition_name":"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)","type_of_disorder":"Unspecified"}

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

September 13, 2006

Citation

0628979

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 0628979.