The Veteran's claim for service connection for testicular cancer is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal during a hearing.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for VA purposes. The Board finds no evidence of current hearing loss disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the Veteran's credible account and competent descriptions of ringing in ears since service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for colon cancer is denied as there is no indication that it began during service or was related to asbestos exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability due to service-connected conditions.,The claim for service connection for a bilateral elbow disability secondary to colon cancer is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's testicular cancer appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal during the hearing, and there is no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus meeting VA criteria. Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on credible testimony about ringing in ears since service. Colon cancer denial is due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or related to asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- testicular cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, a bilateral elbow disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19192703
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 19192703.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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