The Board found that the veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder, pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and there is no evidence of a current skin rash or peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure. The veteran's pre-existing hearing impairment was considered to be aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder, and the Board rejected Dr. A.F.'s opinion as speculative. The veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and there is no evidence of a current skin rash or peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, Bilateral hearing loss, Skin rash (variously diagnosed), Peripheral neuropathy of the finger tips
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2007
- Citation
- 0703773
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 0703773.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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