The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, and his diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted on a presumptive basis due to Agent Orange exposure. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has provided credible testimony regarding potential herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Vietnam Era, which establishes at least as likely as not that he was exposed to herbicides and thus service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted on a presumptive basis. The right ear hearing loss claim requires further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type 2
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21074891
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 21074891.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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