The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear condition, including perforated tympanic membranes and chronic ear infections, was reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's vertigo is also found to be related to his service-connected perforated tympanic membranes. However, the Veteran's hearing loss disability remains at 30 percent, with no change in effective date.
The deciding factor: The new evidence provided a medical opinion supporting the Veteran's claim of service connection for his bilateral ear condition and vertigo, which were found to be related to service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral perforated tympanic membranes, chronic ear infections
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18102481
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 18102481.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic ear infections, chronic allergic rhinitis, colon polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic headaches (to include as due to sinusitis) based on the lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's assertions were not considered competent evidence regarding his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran withdrew all pending appeals before the Board promulgated a decision.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for depression, chronic ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acne, arthritis, heart attack, thyroid disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, catarrhal fever (common cold), foot disability, ventral hernia, dental disability, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with bipolar spectrum disorder prior to January 3, 2025.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic ear infections and a left hamstring injury due to the lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses.
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