The appeal was denied as new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD was not received, and the reduction in rating from 10% to 0% for bilateral hearing loss was proper.
The deciding factor: The evidence added since the March 2005 denial did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The veteran's hearing loss had been reduced from 10% to 0%, and this reduction was found to be proper based on recent audiological evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2009
- Citation
- 0901715
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, and left shoulder, as well as PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee scar was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to inadequate medical opinions and a Stegall violation.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD warranted a 70 percent rating from September 1, 2021, to February 3, 2022, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for insomnia, PTSD, and depression due to a need for additional development.
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