Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is granted for chronic lymphocytic leukemia as secondary to exposure to certain herbicides, diabetes as due to exposure to certain herbicides, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to diabetes.,Service connection is granted for skin cancer to include as secondary to diabetes and/or leukemia.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has a history of acoustic trauma during service which led to bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner found that his tinnitus was at least as likely as not related to his hearing loss.,Service connection is granted based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides in service for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes, and secondary service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skin cancer. The examiner found a potential relationship between the Veteran's lymphocytic leukemia and skin cancer.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with skin cancer and his dermatologist noted that there is a potential relationship between his lymphocytic leukemia and skin cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19183876
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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