The Veteran's eustachian tube disorder was granted service connection. For his thoracolumbar spine and left shoulder conditions, the Board found that he is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating prior to October 7, 2013.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction during active service and continued to have such symptoms after separation. For his thoracolumbar spine condition, he experienced forward flexion limited to 103 degrees with mild sciatic radiculopathy. His left shoulder reconstruction was associated with pain and loss of range of motion without ankylosis or other severe impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- eustachian tube disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 13, 2017
- Citation
- 1721496
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 1721496.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for left plantar fasciitis, Peyronie's disease with erectile dysfunction and varicocele, and right ankle tendinitis. The claims for service connection for eustachian tube disorder and urinary condition were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of objective testing. The Veteran's eustachian tube disorder is being reviewed for a new medical opinion regarding its etiology.
- Denied
The Veteran's eustachian tube disorder of the right ear is not rated as compensable due to lack of evidence of chronic otitis externa, chronic otitis media, deformity of one auricle with loss of substance, or a peripheral vestibular disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for a sinus condition and eustachian tube disorder due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion, need for additional evidence, and need for an SSOC.
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