The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the residuals of ruptured ear drum because the weight of the evidence showed that the Veteran's subsequent left otitis media and resultant tympanic membrane perforation were not caused by VA care, but rather an infection he experienced on June 29, 2012.
The deciding factor: The Board found no fault in VA's treatment and concluded that the Veteran's condition was not caused or worsened by VA care.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear infection, ruptured eardrum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18108220
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 18108220.
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: Dismissed
The appeal concerning the Veteran's service connection claims for a left ear infection and a stomach condition has been withdrawn by the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for rhinitis and left ear infection, and remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and dizziness.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining proper authorizations for private treatment records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's wrist disability. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ruptured eardrum, back disability, right knee disability, gout and/or pseudogout/CPPD, left foot disability, osteophytosis of the thumb/metacarpal surgery, wrist disability, eye/vision disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is granted service connection for right shin splints and chronic sinusitis.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for a respiratory condition, heat stroke, bilateral ear infections, heart condition, migraine headaches, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded for further development.,,,,,,,,
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