The Board has granted service connection for chronic recurrent right ear infections and a zero percent rating is the only evaluation allowed for a perforated tympanic membrane under applicable rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record indicates that the Veteran had recurrent complaints of ear pain while on active duty, was diagnosed as having otitis media and otitis externa during service, and has post-service medical evidence of continued frequent complaints of right ear pain and a diagnosis of otitis media several years after service.
- Claimed conditions
- Perforated right tympanic membrane, Chronic recurrent right ear infections
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 1, 2009
- Citation
- 0932895
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 0932895.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's perforated right tympanic membrane, which was identified shortly after service in 1998 and found to be asymptomatic, is related to his active duty service.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions are denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current disability and service.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current perforated right tympanic membrane and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated as 10% prior to April 20, 2005, but not more than 10%. From April 20, 2005, the rating remained at 10%. Bilateral shin splints did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.
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