The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service. The appeal for service connection for hallux limitus/rigidus with degenerative changes first metatarsophalangeal joint of the right foot was dismissed.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in or otherwise caused by her military service, including her reported noise exposure. The evidence did not show an onset during service or within one year of separation from service for either condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Tinnitus, Hallux limitus/rigidus with degenerative changes first metatarsophalangeal joint of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25035452
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the left ear hearing loss and service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy has aggravated his bilateral hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma and a rocket blast injury.
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