The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for minimal scarring and small, superior retraction pocket, right tympanic membrane and service connection for right ear hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his military service, nor could it be established that he experienced an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support service connection for right ear hearing loss due to noise exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), Right ear hearing loss, Minimal scarring and small, superior retraction pocket, right tympanic membrane
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19128289
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee strain, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for a right ankle disorder. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 5, 2018, for the award of service connection for PTSD and denied earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction, left ear hearing loss, migraines, and other conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine; cervical spine radiculopathy, right upper extremity; coronary artery disease; and right ear hearing loss.
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