The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to failure to attend a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating exceeding 60 percent for prostate cancer and residuals thereof is denied as the predominant residuals do not meet the criteria for such a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction is denied as he does not suffer from a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating exceeding 30 percent for disfigurement of the left side of his nose is remanded due to insufficient evidence showing two or more characteristics of disfigurement.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to attend a VA examination, which precludes the determination of current severity.,The predominant residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on renal dysfunction.,The Veteran does not suffer from a penile deformity as he denied such and declined further examination.,There is insufficient evidence showing two or more characteristics of disfigurement.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer and residuals thereof, penis deformity with loss of erectile power, disfigurement of the left side of the nose (painful scar)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19158097
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 19158097.
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 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.
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