The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no current disability of hearing loss. The claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, a bilateral foot condition (hallux rigidus), and bilateral plantar fasciitis were remanded due to the need for VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability of hearing loss, and there was no medical opinion linking any of the claimed conditions to service. The failure to provide an examination for the ankle, foot, and plantar fasciitis claims was a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss (BHL), Bilateral ankle condition, Bilateral foot condition, hallux rigidus, Bilateral plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2025
- Citation
- A25052706
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal to obtain a VA medical opinion that considers the Veteran's contentions of in-service training with heavy gear and equipment.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the service connection claims for vertigo, dry eye syndrome, and various bilateral conditions due to insufficient evidence.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include alcohol use disorder, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and PTSD was granted. Other claims for various conditions were denied.
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