The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded. The initial rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is denied. An initial 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus is granted. Service connection for prostate cancer residuals is granted at a 10 percent rating. Service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was reopened due to new and material evidence, but further evaluation is needed as it remains remanded. The initial ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not supported by the evidence provided. Service connection for prostate cancer residuals has been granted at a 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C, Tinnitus, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Prostate Cancer, Neuropathy of the Bilateral Upper Extremities
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20029941
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 20029941.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.