The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a blown ear drum (perforated tympanic membrane) and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of service connection for left ear disability (other than blown ear drum), including ear pain, scarring, acute otitis externa, recurrent left infective otitis, and fungal otitis externa, has been raised due to the Veteran's history of in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a current diagnosis of a blown ear drum (perforated tympanic membrane). The Veteran's left ear disability is likely related to previous perforation, which may be due to in-service noise exposure. However, the issue has been raised as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Blown ear drum (perforated tympanic membrane), Left ear disability (other than blown ear drum)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23022596
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 23022596.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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).
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