The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability of the left ear and pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability in the case of the left ear and clear and unmistakable evidence that pes planus pre-existed both periods of active duty without an increase in severity.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet VA standards for a disability, and that pes planus was noted on his first enlistment examination as asymptomatic and did not worsen during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss disability, left ear, Pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0813334
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than August 31, 2016, for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome with spondylolisthesis and pes planus because that was the date VA received his intent to file a claim following a previous final denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right third toe disability and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding evidence and further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for pes planus, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left foot surgical scars and residuals of bunionectomy due to the need for an SOC.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection and rating of the veteran's conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee, spine, shoulder, and foot issues, has been withdrawn and dismissed.
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