The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tympanic membrane perforation is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. A compensable rating of 20 percent is assigned from February 24, 2020 for DM II.,An initial compensable rating prior to August 1, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected DM II requires a compensable rating prior to February 24, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his claim for an increased rating for bilateral tympanic membrane perforation on appeal.,Service connection via the demonstration of continuity of symptomatology is applicable as the Veteran's hearing loss was initially diagnosed within one year after separation from service and he has provided credible evidence that his hearing loss had its onset in-service and progressed since.,The Veteran’s DM II requires a compensable rating prior to February 24, 2020 based on prescription of metformin as early as February 24, 2020 by Dr. M.A., MD.,There is conflicting evidence regarding the etiology and nature of the Veteran's lower extremity neuropathies, including a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy but also idiopathic progressive neuropathy.,The Veteran’s prostate cancer residuals require an examination to determine their current severity and functional impact.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), prostate cancer residuals
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20052166
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 20052166.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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