The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for perforation of the right tympanic membrane, finding that there was no causal or etiological relationship between his in-service noise exposure and the current condition. The Board noted that the Veteran had a perforated tympanic membrane at separation from service but did not find evidence to support a nexus with his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the perforation of the tympanic membrane was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's active duty service, including conceded noise exposure therein.
- Claimed conditions
- Perforation of the right tympanic membrane
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20008062
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,456 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20008062.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a causal relationship between the Veteran's perforated tympanic membrane and his in-service noise exposure. Additional medical records are needed, and an addendum opinion is required.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete service treatment records.
- Granted
The veteran is entitled to an extension of his temporary total rating for convalescent purposes through November 30, 1994, with the prior schedular rating being restored effective December 1, 1994.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.