The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral otitis media with hearing loss and perforated left ear drum was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, which would have allowed for a higher rating. The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss represented a Roman Numeral Level I loss and his left ear hearing loss represented a Roman Numeral Level IX loss, intersecting at the 0 percent (noncompensable) level in Table VII.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic otitis media, perforated left ear drum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2009
- Citation
- 0921729
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 0921729.
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 has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is in dispute due to a lack of private medical records, and thus the case must be remanded to obtain these records and provide an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic otitis media but denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic otitis media and chronic otitis externa due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as an adequate VA examination was not provided.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's service connection for migraine was granted with an effective date of July 29, 2021. Service connection for chronic otitis media was denied. The claims for chronic sinusitis and chronic otitis externa were remanded.
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