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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1139500.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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