The Board has reopened the claims for pes planus, but denied the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus as new and material evidence was not presented. The veteran's current conditions are considered to be service-connected based on direct service connection due to their onset in service or natural progression.
The deciding factor: The Board found that while there is a link between the veteran's exposure to noise during service and his current hearing loss, no evidence established that he had these conditions in service. The new evidence does not provide sufficient information to reopen the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- pes planus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, keloid scars of the neck, chest and arms
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2002
- Citation
- 0202334
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0202334.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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