The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed left auricular trigeminal neuralgia and otalgia are at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically a blast injury caused by being in proximity to firing tanks. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced ear pain after an in-service blast injury from firing tanks, and subsequent medical opinions support a link between this event and his current diagnoses of left auricular trigeminal neuralgia and otalgia.
- Claimed conditions
- left auricular trigeminal neuralgia, otalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2015
- Citation
- 1542920
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 1542920.
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an ear condition due to insufficient evidence in the November 2022 VA examination report. The examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's otalgia is related to his active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of an increased rating for his ear disability, to include bilateral hearing loss, due to further development and examination being necessary.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disability, including bilateral hearing loss, otalgia, and symptoms of ear popping, dizziness, and balance problems. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.
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