The Board denied service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus and bunions as the conditions were found to be pre-existing and not aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The veteran's right ear hearing loss was determined to have been present at entry into service and did not increase in severity beyond natural progression. The left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during service, and the pes planus, hallux valgus, and bunions were also found to be pre-existing and not aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus and bunions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2008
- Citation
- 0814007
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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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