The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and he is now entitled to a rating of 10% for this condition. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran's partial loss of function of the lower extremities is considered in his combined disability rating. Separate service connections for tinnitus, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right foot traumatic degenerative joint disease are all denied. Service connection for a low back disorder, right sciatic radicular pain, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II and the Veteran's partial loss of function of the lower extremities is already considered in his combined disability rating. The other issues were either denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or because they are part of an existing condition.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus (type II)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18148303
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 18148303.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right ear hearing loss due to untimely filing.,The Board also dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss as moot because it was already granted in a prior decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.
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