The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for residual scars associated with otitis media has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7800 or 7804.,The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for her inner ear surgeries, as there is no indication of service connection theory other than direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not show visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features, or; four or five characteristics of disfigurement for scars rated under Diagnostic Code 7800. The Veteran's scars were also found to be less than one quarter inch wide at their widest point.,The evidence did not show a combination of unstable and painful scars that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.
- Claimed conditions
- otitis media, deformity of left auricle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21014271
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 21014271.
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.
- Dismissed
The claims seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot and bladder disabilities, as well as service connection for tinnitus, are dismissed due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim seeking service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is readjudicated.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for morbid obesity, difficulty walking, allergic rhinitis, otitis media, gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and onychomycosis are also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for difficulty walking is denied as it is a symptom of other diagnosed conditions, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, and pes planus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied due to lack of medical nexus between the condition and in-service incurrence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for otitis media is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is denied as there are no contemporaneous records indicating a diagnosis prior to separation from service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, otitis media, and a skin disability as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, mood disorder with depressive and anxious features, benign growth of the spinal cord with spondylosis and anterolisthesis, residuals of right ankle sprain with traumatic arthritis, and otitis media, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
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.