The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.,The Veteran asserts service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. However, the AOJ has not attempted to verify his claimed herbicide exposure and thus remand is necessary to attempt verification of such exposure.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral upper neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral lower neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a stomach disability. The AOJ has not provided an opinion on this issue and thus remand is necessary.,The Veteran asserts service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,Verification of herbicide exposure is required before service connection can be granted for diabetes mellitus, type II.,An examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions related to upper neuropathy.,An examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions related to lower neuropathy.,Verification of a stomach disability is required before service connection can be granted.,An examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities.,An examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sleep disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral upper neuropathy, bilateral lower neuropathy, stomach disability, acquired psychiatric disability, sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2021
- Citation
- A21016428
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 A21016428.
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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