The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (claimed as a congestive heart problem), hypertension, headaches, and PTSD. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service is not considered sufficient to establish service connection.,Service records show no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to the claimed conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis for any of the claimed conditions, and that the Veteran's exposure to noise during service did not result in hearing loss. The heart disability, hypertension, headaches, and PTSD were not shown to be related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Heart Disability (Congestive Heart Problem), Hypertension, Headaches, Psychiatric Disability (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18151413
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 18151413.
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: 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: Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- 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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
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