The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted with a rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claims for service connection for colon cancer and hypertension were reopened based on new evidence submitted since their previous denials. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.
The deciding factor: The May 2012 VA audiologist's opinion supported by the Veteran's in-service noise exposure during military service, but lacking supporting service treatment records showing normal hearing before and after exposure to noise, led to a finding that the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service.
- Claimed conditions
- colon cancer, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18119979
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 18119979.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- 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.
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