Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II prior to June 30, 2015, is denied. The Veteran's original claim was received on that date and there were no prior claims filed before then.,The skin condition (claimed as skin cancer) is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service exposure to herbicides.,The erectile dysfunction is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or the Veteran's own service.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service noise exposure.
The deciding factor: Service connection for tinnitus can be established based on continuity of symptomatology since service due to a diagnosis during service and post-service reports of ringing in the ears.,The effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II is June 30, 2015, as no prior claims were filed before that date. The Veteran's claim was received within one year of discharge from service.,For the skin condition (claimed as skin cancer), the Veteran must provide evidence of a current diagnosis and a link to service exposure to herbicides. The examiner should determine if there is a relationship between the condition and service.,The erectile dysfunction may be related to diabetes mellitus, type II or could have been aggravated by it. Further examination and opinion are needed to establish this.,For bilateral hearing loss, evidence of noise exposure during service and current hearing impairment must be established for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, skin condition (claimed as skin cancer), bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23049516
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 23049516.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- 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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.