The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 23, 2015, for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 23, 2015, for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied as they were not filed prior to that date. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for residuals of prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are denied as there is no evidence that a claim was filed prior to December 23, 2015. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded as his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination.
The deciding factor: The maximum schedular rating has been assigned for tinnitus, and no higher rating can be granted.,The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim. The claims were not filed prior to this date.,The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim. The claims were not filed prior to this date.,No earlier claim for residuals of prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction has been filed prior to December 23, 2015. The effective date was set at that time.,The Veteran's hearing loss symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination, necessitating a new evaluation.,The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination, necessitating a new evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, hearing loss, prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21014251
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 21014251.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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