The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic otitis media of the left ear, depression secondary to left ear otitis media, headaches secondary to left ear otitis media, and loss of balance secondary to left ear otitis media have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions during service. His current symptoms are first noted decades after separation from service, and there is no medical opinion associating these conditions with his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Otitis Media of the Left Ear, Depression, claimed as secondary to left ear otitis media, Headaches, claimed as secondary to left ear otitis media, Loss of Balance, claimed as secondary to left ear otitis media
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2010
- Citation
- 1002629
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1002629.
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 a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for service-connected otitis media of the left ear, and denied service connection for a perforated eardrum of the left ear. The hearing loss in the left ear is rated as noncompensable.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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