The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral otalgia is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The March 2015 VA examiner determined that the Veteran's current ear condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness. However, the examiner also noted that the Veteran continued to have intermittent otalgia which was a continuation of symptoms from service and agreed with the Veteran's testimony that his pain originated from TMJ rather than the ear disorders he experienced during service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral ear disability, otalgia, chronic serous 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
- August 3, 2015
- Citation
- 1532964
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1532964.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for otalgia, right ear secondary to service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder. Service connection was granted for metatarsalgia with Baxter's neuropathy of the left foot and erectile dysfunction was denied an initial compensable rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence submitted since the June 2024 decision. The issues remain remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is in dispute due to a lack of private medical records, and thus the case must be remanded to obtain these records and provide an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for chronic neuralgia and eustachian tube dysfunction due to withdrawal by the appellant. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted, but the cervical spine degenerative arthritis and scar from hernia repair are remanded for further development.
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