The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors related to posttraumatic stress disorder, and the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. For hearing loss, the VA examination showed auditory acuity levels II in both ears, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records do not contain evidence of an in-service stressor related to posttraumatic stress disorder and there is no credible supporting evidence. The audiometric evaluation did not show hearing loss that meets the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0921318
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 0921318.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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