The Board has granted service connection for bilateral mixed hearing loss as secondary to service-connected chronic allergic rhinitis. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for a VA examination. The TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus, type II issue.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral mixed hearing loss was aggravated by his service-connected chronic allergic rhinitis beyond its natural progression. For the diabetes mellitus, type II issue, the Board determined that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether it is at least as likely as not related to hazardous exposure during active duty service in Southwest Asia.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Mixed Hearing Loss, Diabetes Mellitus, Type II
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2024
- Citation
- 24006224
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 24006224.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is sufficient to grant a TDIU, and his other service-connected disabilities are at least 60% combined. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and effective dates have been denied. The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are currently rated at 60 percent, 20 percent, and varying percentages respectively.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the condition first manifested during military service and is related to in-service glycosuria.
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