The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and his initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a PTSD diagnosis, and his current diagnoses of acquired psychiatric disorders otherwise had no nexus to his in-service event. For his bilateral hearing loss, the pure tone thresholds at his August 2014 VA medical examination represented an exceptional pattern of hearing loss for his right ear but were within normal limits for his left ear.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and had no nexus between his current acquired psychiatric disorders and his in-service event. The pure tone thresholds at his August 2014 VA medical examination represented an exceptional pattern of hearing loss for his right ear but were within normal limits for his left ear.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19175100
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 19175100.
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 the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and 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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