The appeal contesting the propriety of the severance of service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, and restoration of service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The appeals regarding diabetes, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction (ED), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are all remanded.
The deciding factor: The grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous as the evidence showed that it was due to noise exposure in service, which is consistent with the Veteran's reported history. The other issues were remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear hearing loss, Diabetes, Left upper extremity neuropathy, Right upper extremity neuropathy, Left lower extremity neuropathy, Right lower extremity neuropathy, Erectile dysfunction (ED), Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21030659
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 21030659.
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 Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bladder cancer, erectile dysfunction, and gouty arthropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran's request for a referral to a urologist for ED is also remanded. A VA medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gouty arthropathy and his service-connected conditions.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
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