Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for bilateral otitis media, with hearing loss, is denied. The issues involving the ratings of the veteran's right knee and right shoulder disorders will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The deciding factor: The VA examination report shows no active ear disease present, but the veteran has been service connected for ear disease including hearing loss. A compensable rating for the ear disorders alone is not warranted without findings of active disease. However, a compensable rating on the basis of bilateral hearing loss may still be awarded.

Claimed conditions
Bilateral otitis media, Right knee strain, AC joint separation and strain of the right shoulder
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
March 15, 2000
Citation
0006979

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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0006979.

What this means for you

A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.