The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for acoustic neuroma was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with major depression and nightmare disorder was also denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating. The issue of total disability rating for individual unemployability is being remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms alone did not result in total occupational and social impairment, which is required for a 100% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.
- Claimed conditions
- Acoustic neuroma, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depression and nightmare disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19162372
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,350 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19162372.
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 Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for acoustic neuroma and a 10 percent rating for tinnitus, due to the acoustic neuroma. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for acoustic neuroma, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, head, and surgical scars as they are inextricably intertwined.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for acoustic neuroma was granted based on new and relevant evidence, but the issue is also remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to unclear information regarding the Veteran's current employment status and income. The Veteran is required to complete a new VA Form 21-8940 and provide yearly income information for the period of May 2013 to present.
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