The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, was denied because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or other acquired mental disorder.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was also denied due to the absence of a current disability. The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss for VA purposes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD, or any other acquired mental health disorder outside of alcohol use disorder.,The audiometric evaluations showed no threshold levels meeting the criteria for a current disability in either ear. The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss for VA purposes.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder), Right ear hearing loss, Left ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23023955
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 23023955.
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 has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
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