The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet all criteria for PTSD and his symptoms were better explained by other diagnoses.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not meet all criteria for PTSD, including intrusion symptoms, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease, hypertensive, angioplasty with stent (severe), arteriosclerosis, ischemic heart disease to include exposure to Agent Orange, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, atopic dermatitis, pulmonary illness, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), high blood pressure, fatigue
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1743624
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1743624.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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