The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for otitis media/externa is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The most recent examination was conducted over a decade ago, and the Veteran has indicated that his disability is more disabling than currently rated.
- Claimed conditions
- otitis media/externa
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22064289
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 22064289.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, otitis media/externa, and impacted cerumen. The evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for otitis media/externa is being remanded due to the failure to substantially comply with previous instructions, specifically regarding notification of a scheduled examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for otitis media/externa and sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various sources.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a left ear tympanoplasty and otitis media/externa are manifested by chronic suppurative otitis media, warranting a 10% disability rating.
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