The Board found that the Veteran's current Eustachian tube dysfunction is attributable to service, and granted service connection for residuals of a left ear injury.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided an opinion that the Veteran's current hearing loss was related to inservice noise exposure from the engine room. The examiner also indicated that there were no records contemporaneous to the plane crash to substantiate or disprove any injuries to the left ear, and concluded that Eustachian tube dysfunction is not likely related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2011
- Citation
- 1101341
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 1101341.
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
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: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for Eustachian tube dysfunction and related hearing impairment was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 3, 2018, denied. His claim for special monthly compensation from May 4, 2022, was granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of Eustachian tube dysfunction, finding no causal relationship between his claimed condition and his military service or any toxic exposures.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a left and right knee disability, fatty liver, eustachian tube dysfunction, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for eustachian tube dysfunction due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities meeting VA criteria.
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