The Board found that the Veteran's right ear disability, manifested by a tympanic membrane retraction, was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the only right ear disability present was related to a previous mastoidectomy performed at age eight, with no evidence of current perforation or other hearing impairment attributable to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2011
- Citation
- 1135456
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 1135456.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, neck disability, nerve damage of the neck, back, and hip, liver cirrhosis, stroke, migraines, ovarian disability, heart disability, seizure disorder, and right ear disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to errors in obtaining and associating medical records, as well as failing to provide a VA examination for some of the conditions. The claims will be reconsidered upon completion of these directives.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right ear disability and hearing loss due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not support these claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear disability, including otitis media. The claim will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions and development.
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