The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, both of which are found to have onset in service. Service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is also granted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires a restricted diet and regulation of activities but does not require insulin or hospitalizations. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is rated at level I in both ears, resulting in no compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran required insulin for diabetes mellitus type II, which was a requirement for a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss met the criteria for a noncompensable disability rating as per VA regulations and tables.,Service connection was granted based on medical evidence showing onset of tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea in service. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for other disabilities such as hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), or gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20080967
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
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