The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for otalgia, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to her military service or any undiagnosed illness. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under the provisions of the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion stated that there is no link between the Veteran’s otalgia and her military service, and thus service connection cannot be established.
- Claimed conditions
- otalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21007904
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 21007904.
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 Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for otalgia, right ear secondary to service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder. Service connection was granted for metatarsalgia with Baxter's neuropathy of the left foot and erectile dysfunction was denied an initial compensable rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an ear condition due to insufficient evidence in the November 2022 VA examination report. The examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's otalgia is related to his active service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of an increased rating for his ear disability, to include bilateral hearing loss, due to further development and examination being necessary.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disability, including bilateral hearing loss, otalgia, and symptoms of ear popping, dizziness, and balance problems. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.
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