The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, cervical spondylosis, tinnitus, tinea versicolor, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited flexion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited extension, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with impairment of the thigh, right knee strain, left knee strain, thoracolumbar strain, right shoulder scars, status-post surgery, left ingrown toenails, and migraine headaches have all been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim has also been denied for periods when a 100% rating was granted due to surgical convalescence.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and there is no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's left ear auditory thresholds were below 26 decibels in both July 2013 and March 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Hearing Loss Disability, Left Ear Hearing Loss Disability, Cervical Spondylosis, Tinnitus, Tinea Versicolor, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Right Hip Iliotibial Band Syndrome with Limited Flexion, Right Hip Iliotibial Band Syndrome with Limited Extension, Right Hip Iliotibial Band Syndrome with Impairment of the Thigh, Right Knee Strain, Left Knee Strain, Thoracolumbar Strain, Right Shoulder Scars, Status-post Surgery, Left Ingrown Toenails, Migraine Headaches, Bilateral Pes Planus with Over-pronation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18161196
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18161196.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's 50% disability rating for migraine headaches was restored as the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
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