The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ear disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing in-service stressors or chronic conditions that could be presumed due to military service.
The deciding factor: There was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or chronic conditions that could support presumptive service connection for the claimed disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Ear Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (claimed as Depression and PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 16, 2016
- Citation
- 1619866
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 1619866.
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: Partly granted
The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left hand middle finger disability, bilateral ear disability, and bilateral foot disability due to new evidence. However, these claims are still denied as there is no direct or secondary service connection.,Service connection for gastric ulcer remains pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities, but has remanded his claim for bilateral ear disability due to insufficient evidence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection. The hearing loss claim remains denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for bilateral ear disability, PTSD, and myocardial infarction have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the claims were based on direct service connection.
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