The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current hearing loss and active service. The claim for PTSD was also denied, with the RO finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.
The deciding factor: The VA audiologist concluded that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is more likely due to post-service noise exposure rather than in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current hearing loss and active service. The private examiner who related the veteran's PTSD to military sexual trauma was found to have provided an inaccurate opinion based on uncorroborated assertions and an inaccurate review of service medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2007
- Citation
- 0703393
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 0703393.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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