The Board has determined that the Veteran's current symptoms, including ear pain and dizziness, are not related to his service-connected left otitis media and Eustachian tube dysfunction. As a result, he is not entitled to an initial compensable disability rating for these conditions.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence does not support a finding of chronic suppurative otitis media or hearing loss in the Veteran's left ear, nor are his symptoms related to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left otitis media, Eustachian tube dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2014
- Citation
- 1455607
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 1455607.
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 appeal for an initial compensable rating for Eustachian tube dysfunction and related hearing impairment was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 3, 2018, denied. His claim for special monthly compensation from May 4, 2022, was granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of Eustachian tube dysfunction, finding no causal relationship between his claimed condition and his military service or any toxic exposures.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the intermediate rate between the (m) and (n) rates based on his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a left and right knee disability, fatty liver, eustachian tube dysfunction, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions.
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