The Board denied increased ratings for chronic suppurative otitis media and hearing loss of the right ear, as well as a compensable rating for residuals of a perforation of the right ear drum.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher schedular ratings based on their current manifestations.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic suppurative 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
- November 17, 2008
- Citation
- 0839372
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 0839372.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to chronic suppurative otitis media, which aggravated the Veteran's pre-existing heart conditions and led to his fall resulting in death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral serious otitis media and/or chronic suppurative otitis media was granted, with the effective date being December 3, 2010. Service connection for hives as secondary to unspecified anxiety disorder was also granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a compensable rating for chronic suppurative otitis media, no substantial impairment from gastroesophageal reflux disease, and no functional impairment in the right index finger.
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.