The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral otitis media, mastoidectomies, recurrent cholesteatoma and perforated eardrum. The Veteran's pre-existing ear condition was aggravated during his military service.
The deciding factor: A private physician provided medical evidence indicating that the Veteran had a preexisting bilateral ear condition prior to service which was aggravated by military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral otitis media, mastoidectomies, recurrent cholesteatoma, perforated eardrum
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2011
- Citation
- 1139500
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1139500.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of October 10, 2013 for the addition of the Veteran's spouse as his dependent to his award of VA disability compensation. The issue of whether the debt in the amount of $19,696.58 was properly created and is valid remains pending and will be remanded.
- Denied
The Board has denied the claims for service connection for tinnitus, a perforated eardrum, and migraines as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a perforated eardrum, and PTSD were denied as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination without good cause. The appeals for these issues are dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current conjunctivitis, bilateral otitis media, chronic fatigue, gastroenteritis, sciatica, and respiratory disability. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.