The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed ear disability (other than service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus) at any time during the period under review, thus denying his claim for service connection for a disability manifested by ear pain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's complaints of ear pain were not supported by clinical evidence or diagnoses throughout the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Ear Pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 30, 2012
- Citation
- 1219076
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 1219076.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a separate rating of 10 percent for ear pain throughout the appeal. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated VA medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current extent and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to issues with the adequacy of previous examinations and treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records and complete a VA Form 21-8940.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's symptoms of dizziness, ear wetness, and ear pain are not contemplated by the current schedular criteria.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back condition), scars, degenerative joint disease of both knees, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, hypertension, tinnitus, bilateral nasal pinquecula with dry eyes, hernia, ear pain, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities alone are at least in equipoise as to whether he is unable to obtain or maintain such employment.
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.