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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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