The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including post residual right foot neuroma, right foot hallus rigidus and bunion, and left first metatarsophalangeal joint disorder, is granted as service connected.,Chronic sinusitis with sinus headaches are granted under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits during service. Service connection for chronic sinusitis prior to the PACT Act's effective date remains remanded.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not being causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has a history of foot conditions that have been found to be etiologically related to her military service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran's claim for bilateral foot disorder, granting service connection based on reasonable doubt resolved in her favor.,Chronic sinusitis is presumed due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during service under the PACT Act. Service connection is granted as presumptive under the law.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disorder, chronic sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23068205
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 23068205.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.