The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a perforated right ear drum and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.
The deciding factor: The submitted evidence does not include competent medical opinions linking any current conditions to military service or aggravation during service, which is required under the 'direct' theory of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Perforated tympanic membrane
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 3, 2011
- Citation
- 1140885
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 1140885.
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 Veteran's service-connected perforated tympanic membrane of the right ear is manifested by complaints of an inability to fly in aircrafts and an inability to go underwater without ear plugs due to pain. The Board has determined that a compensable rating for this disability is not warranted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected perforated tympanic membrane of the left ear with scarring, pain and dizziness has been denied. The maximum schedular rating available under current VA regulations is 30 percent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of April 19, 2009 for the award of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus cannot be considered aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.
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