The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD. The veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his service and therefore, the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD could not be verified based on credible supporting evidence. As a result, the diagnosis of PTSD is not supported by competent medical evidence linking it to an in-service event.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2007
- Citation
- 0731729
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0731729.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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