The Board granted a separate rating of 10 percent for chronic suppurative otitis media and a noncompensable rating for a perforation of the tympanic membrane, while denying an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for otitis externa.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes, but separate ratings were warranted for chronic suppurative otitis media and a perforation of the tympanic membrane due to their distinct manifestations.
- Claimed conditions
- otitis externa, chronic suppurative otitis media, perforation of the tympanic membrane
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2024
- Citation
- 24032025
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,432 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24032025.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service onset or association with service, and concluded that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his PTSD. For the TDIU claim, the Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death. The right eye dyscoria and PTSD issues were pursued under both the Legacy Appeal system and the AMA simultaneously, but these issues are now included in the dismissal.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for chronic suppurative otitis media as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Veteran's reported symptoms are more likely due to post-service activities.
- Partly granted
The appeal was granted for service connection of left ear hearing loss and OSA, but denied for hepatic steatosis. Several claims were remanded.
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.