The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic otitis externa of both ears did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to an event during active military service. The VA examiner found it more likely than not that the current bilateral otitis externa is not due to or related in any way to one episode of treatment for otitis externa treatment noted February 2, 1968 while on active duty.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's first post-service treatment for otitis externa occurred more than 20 years after service separation and there is no credible evidence of chronicity of the disease entity since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Otitis Externa
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2012
- Citation
- 1233324
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 1233324.
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 determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, otitis externa and perforated tympanic membrane, hearing loss, and tinnitus need to be remanded due to inadequate examination reports and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis externa were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for each condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition related to the Veteran's ear infections during service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and otitis externa disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating under VA regulations, thus denying his claims for increased ratings.
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.