The Board denied service connection for chronic ear infection (otitis media) and eustachian tube dysfunction, finding no evidence of a nexus to active duty.
The deciding factor: There was no competent medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic ear infection (otitis media), eustachian tube dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2020
- Citation
- A20016987
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 A20016987.
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: Granted
The Board has granted readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence submitted since the June 2024 decision. The issues remain remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is in dispute due to a lack of private medical records, and thus the case must be remanded to obtain these records and provide an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for chronic neuralgia and eustachian tube dysfunction due to withdrawal by the appellant. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted, but the cervical spine degenerative arthritis and scar from hernia repair are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for eustachian tube dysfunction and right ear hearing loss, as additional evidence is needed to clarify whether the Veteran has a current disability of eustachian tube dysfunction and if it is related to his active service.
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