The Veteran's claim for service connection for otitis media of the left ear is granted. The Board finds that he has suffered from a left ear disability during his active military service and that it manifested as a result of an in-service injury. For the lumbar spine, the Veteran is granted a 10 percent initial evaluation, effective from March 30, 2009, to October 7, 2010, for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. Since October 7, 2010, he is entitled to a 20 percent disability evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records reflect recurrent left ear infections and an in-service injury that resulted in a ruptured eardrum. The VA examiners provided opinions supporting the connection between his current otitis media and his military service. For the lumbar spine, the evidence supports a finding of degenerative disc disease with pain and limited motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Otitis Media, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 29, 2012
- Citation
- 1218882
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 1218882.
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 accepted the October 2019 VA Form 9 as timely and will proceed with a decision on the merits of the service connection claims under the legacy review system.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
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