The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear disability, as the veteran's pre-existing condition was already considered in the October 1970 rating decision.
The deciding factor: The RO denied service connection because the veteran's left ear problem existed prior to active duty service and was not aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear disability
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2002
- Citation
- 0217824
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 0217824.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and service connection for left ear, right ear, and hematospermia disabilities.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a right elbow disability and a right hand disability (carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes) but denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, a left finger disability, and a left ear disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury, left ear disability, right shoulder disability, and respiratory disability as there was no evidence of current disabilities or that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service. The claim for a neck disability was remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including acute sinusitis, cervical spine strain, and various musculoskeletal injuries, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury.
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