The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear chronic otitis media, bone loss of skull, right ear scar (post-operative revision tympanomastoidectomy), and labyrinthitis have all been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for more than a 10 percent disability rating based on the current medical evidence, which includes measurements of scar size and characteristics that do not warrant additional ratings under Diagnostic Codes 7800, 5296, or 4.87.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Chronic Otitis Media, Bone Loss of Skull, Right Ear Scar (Post-Operative Revision Tympanomastoidectomy), Labyrinthitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1735083
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 1735083.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's requests for higher ratings for labyrinthitis and right ear hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current assigned disability ratings.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for labyrinthitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to March 13, 2009. The Board found that his education and work experience were sufficient to allow him to maintain substantially gainful employment.
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