The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s back disability is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post robotic prostatectomy, results in erectile dysfunction but no other residuals, and the prostate cancer is in remission. The voiding dysfunction causes urine leakage, but it does not require the wearing of absorbent material or the use of an appliance. The condition does not cause increased urinary frequency or signs or symptoms of obstructed voiding.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction manifests as loss of erectile function, but without deformity of the penis.,The Veteran’s service-connected scars are not unstable or painful, measure less than 39 square centimeters in total area, are not associated with underlying tissue damage, and result in no functional impairments or disabling effects.,Audiometric testing establishes that the Veteran has had, at worst, level I hearing in the right ear. Audiometric testing also established that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.,While the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active military service, he does not have a left ear hearing disability for VA purposes.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 4.71a and 4.71b as it failed to show that the Veteran required one or more daily injections of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

Claimed conditions

diabetes mellitus, type 2, back disability (degenerative disc disease with L4-5 disc fusion and scoliosis), radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, prostate cancer, status post robotic prostatectomy, erectile dysfunction, scars, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

August 6, 2019

Citation

19160881

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 19160881.