The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting the regulatory threshold for hearing loss benefits at any point during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: There is no medical or lay evidence suggesting a worsening of hearing acuity since the August 2023 evaluation, and the VA examiner determined that exposure to military noise was conceded but there is no evidence that the Veteran has met the regulatory threshold for hearing loss benefits at any point during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain and right sacroiliac joint dysfunction, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, right knee tendinitis, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tension headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eye disability, to include bilateral dry eye syndrome, chronic urticaria
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2025
- Citation
- A25028457
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 Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- 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).
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the failure to obtain relevant treatment records and provide adequate VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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