{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/chronic-suppurative-otitis-media","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:15.975Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Chronic suppurative otitis media","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":661,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14.5,"denied_pct":36.9,"remanded_pct":46.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":28.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":74,"granted_pct":5.4,"denied_pct":54.1,"remanded_pct":32.4},{"year":2018,"issues":76,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":40.8,"remanded_pct":42.1},{"year":2019,"issues":90,"granted_pct":14.4,"denied_pct":31.1,"remanded_pct":52.2},{"year":2020,"issues":78,"granted_pct":11.5,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":55.1},{"year":2021,"issues":71,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":45.1},{"year":2022,"issues":63,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":31.7,"remanded_pct":49.2},{"year":2023,"issues":78,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":51.3},{"year":2024,"issues":78,"granted_pct":15.4,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2025,"issues":60,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":35,"remanded_pct":40},{"year":2026,"issues":24,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":45.8,"remanded_pct":33.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":64.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":99,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":22.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":487,"granted_pct_with":26.6,"granted_pct_without":37},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":89,"granted_pct_with":52.4,"granted_pct_without":22.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":308,"granted_pct_with":25.3,"granted_pct_without":31.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":172,"granted_pct_with":36,"granted_pct_without":25},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":523,"granted_pct_with":29.1,"granted_pct_without":23.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":13},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":10},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"dc 6200 directly contemplates chronic suppurative otitis media","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":48},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":23},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":19},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":13},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":12},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":11}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26035351","year":2026,"judge":"H.M. WALKER","rationale":"New and relevant evidence received after prior denial.; Report of ear infection during service.; Positive opinions from VA examiner (later) and private physician.; Nearly balanced evidence, benefit of doubt applied."},{"case_id":"A26032010","year":2026,"judge":"S. BUSH","rationale":"Service connection granted in March 2021 based on VA examiner's positive opinion.; Severance in September 2022 based on lack of current chronic condition and administrative error.; Board found severance improper due to evidence of in-service diagnosis and active problem in later clinical records.; O… [truncated, 62 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26009188","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Chronic recurrent left ear infections noted; Examiners noted drainage affecting ability to work; 10 percent rating warranted for suppuration"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037739","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Evidence weighed against service connection; Only acute treatment in service noted; 2023 onset date from VA examiner; No continuity of symptoms"},{"case_id":"A26032801","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"No current diagnosis in the record; Veteran not competent to diagnose; Lay statements afforded no probative weight"},{"case_id":"A26030096","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"Symptoms did not meet criteria for suppuration or aural polyps; No evidence of hearing impairment, labyrinthitis, or tinnitus; Ameliorative effects of eardrops not considered for rating purposes"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}