The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hearing loss of the right ear with chronic otitis media was denied. The RO found that the new criteria did not apply as the diagnosis of chronic otitis media had not been established.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner could not make a diagnosis of the type of chronic otitis media that would affect the evaluation, and thus the old criteria applied.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss of the right ear, chronic otitis media
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2000
- Citation
- 0008645
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 0008645.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sleep impairment and hearing loss of the right ear, and a 30 percent rating for residuals of a left eye injury from April 27, 1998. The claim for a higher rating was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic otitis media but denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus, but denied it for the left ear.
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.