The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 70 percent, as he has not exhibited total social impairment.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided a positive opinion regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss being related to in-service noise exposure. The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is directly related to his service.,The Veteran has not exhibited total social impairment, as he maintains relationships with family members and attends church. However, he does exhibit some signs of social isolation and occasional suicidal ideation.,VA examinations have shown symptoms consistent with PTSD but no evidence of hallucinations or persistent delusions. The reviewing clinician's opinion regarding the etiology of type II diabetes mellitus is inadequate.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21031404
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 21031404.
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 Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes mellitus due to errors in development of the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right ear hearing loss due to untimely filing.,The Board also dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss as moot because it was already granted in a prior decision.
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