The Veteran's service-connected left ear otitis media is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under the rating schedule. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as his symptoms are already covered by the current schedular criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s complaints of pain, drainage, fever, lightheadedness, dizziness, and headaches were considered in the existing rating schedule for evaluating ear diseases, particularly ear infection. The associated complications such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and labyrinthitis are separately rated under different codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear otitis media
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18147815
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 18147815.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, a lower back disability, residuals of inguinal hernia repair, residuals of umbilical hernia repair, and sinusitis. Service connection was denied for an ulcer, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and acne.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear otitis media, chronic pharyngitis, and a spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the appellant's lay statements.
- Denied
The Veteran's left ear otitis media is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that there was no evidence of suppuration or aural polyps to warrant a higher rating. The claim for an increased rating is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's left ear otitis media and externa, as well as outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.
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