The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ear condition, finding no evidence of entitlement to a higher rating based on service connection criteria.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show that the veteran met the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of suppuration or other disabling conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- right ear otitis externa, right ear otitis media, tympanic membrane perforation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0836417
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 0836417.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right ear otitis externa, restrictive lung disease (respiratory disorder), headaches, and rhinitis to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and develop the Veteran's toxic exposure risk activity history.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a right ear disability, to include right ear otitis media and a perforated right ear drum, as additional development is necessary.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including eye disability, foot pain, stomach disability, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and non-compensable ratings for post traumatic headaches, right lower extremity scars, tympanic membrane perforation, right knee tendinopathy, and lumbosacral strain.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 rating decision and has ordered further development to verify the appellant's alleged active duty Reserve service dates. The issues on appeal are now remanded for readjudication.
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