The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on all issues was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for PTSD, tinnitus, or the residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen with laparotomy and small bowel repair with scars as these conditions are already rated at their maximum levels under applicable VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated according to the criteria set forth in the rating schedule. The current evaluations for PTSD, tinnitus, and the residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen with laparotomy and small bowel repair with scars are at their maximum levels under applicable VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Tinnitus, Residuals of a Stab Wound to the Abdomen with Laparotomy and Small Bowel Repair with Scars, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1748032
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 1748032.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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