The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, reopening of the claim for bilateral hearing loss, and increased rating for residuals of a broken left hand were denied as there was no credible evidence supporting an in-service stressor for PTSD, no new material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, and the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service stressor for PTSD, the absence of new material evidence regarding the claimed bilateral hearing loss, and the veteran's service-connected residuals of a broken left hand being productive only minor residual pain and discomfort with no functional impairment warranted denial of the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Bilateral hearing loss, Residuals of a broken left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0900858
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,642 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0900858.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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