The Board denied service connection for right ear otitis media (claimed as right middle ear dysfunction) because the evidence did not show it was incurred in or related to service, including his service-connected right ear hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's right ear otitis media was less likely than not caused by his service-connected right ear hearing loss and noise exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- right ear otitis media, right middle ear dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19170217
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 19170217.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a right ear disability, to include right ear otitis media and a perforated right ear drum, as additional development is necessary.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for TERA examinations considering his exposure to toxic substances during his service in Southwest Asia.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure and right ear infections, as well as her secondary service connection claim for hearing loss related to her service-connected right ear otitis media. The case is being returned for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.
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