The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear and a left foot disability, including pes planus and calluses. The issue of an initial compensable rating for calluses of the right foot remains pending.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss or any current left foot disability was aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss in Left Ear, Left Foot Disability (including pes planus and calluses)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 7, 2016
- Citation
- 1627095
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1627095.
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 Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is granted as service connection, with a finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during military service.,The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss in the left ear is found to have been aggravated by service, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board notes an increase in severity during service but does not find clear and unmistakable evidence that it was due to natural progression.,Service connection for tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a reasonable possibility of a nexus between these conditions and his military noise exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to his need for aid and attendance of another person as a result of service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury. The specific conditions include PTSD, CAD, tinnitus, and hearing loss in both ears.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for hearing loss in left ear is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for skin cancer on face is denied.,A compensable rating for hearing loss in right ear is denied.,The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.,The claim for service connection for a vestibular disorder in the right ear, to include vertigo and loss of balance, is remanded.
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