{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/middle-ear-disease","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:07.843Z","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":"Middle ear disease","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":651,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":8.1,"denied_pct":34.4,"remanded_pct":55.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":19.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":92,"granted_pct":3.3,"denied_pct":40.2,"remanded_pct":56.5},{"year":2018,"issues":136,"granted_pct":10.3,"denied_pct":36.8,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2019,"issues":105,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":55.2},{"year":2020,"issues":67,"granted_pct":9,"denied_pct":35.8,"remanded_pct":50.7},{"year":2021,"issues":54,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":51.9},{"year":2022,"issues":60,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":61.7},{"year":2023,"issues":58,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":72.4},{"year":2024,"issues":51,"granted_pct":15.7,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":47.1},{"year":2025,"issues":46,"granted_pct":6.5,"denied_pct":37,"remanded_pct":54.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":66,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":87,"granted_pct_with":44.4,"granted_pct_without":13},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":464,"granted_pct_with":16.9,"granted_pct_without":28.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":79,"granted_pct_with":58.1,"granted_pct_without":12},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":314,"granted_pct_with":17.3,"granted_pct_without":21.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":147,"granted_pct_with":23.5,"granted_pct_without":17.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":528,"granted_pct_with":18.9,"granted_pct_without":20.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":8},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":49},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":21},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":13},{"reason":"criteria for service connection not met","decisions":9},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":8}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26005111","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Competent and probative evidence tends to show condition incurred in service.; Service treatment records show complaints of cerumen impaction and ear infections during service.; Positive medical opinion from VA treating physician links condition to service."},{"case_id":"A25064408","year":2025,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Consistent lay statements regarding onset; Condition present during service; VA examiner opinion found inadequate"},{"case_id":"A25062331","year":2025,"judge":"TIMOTHY COTHREL","rationale":"Veteran reported in-service symptoms of headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, and tinnitus.; Symptoms persisted post-service and were consistent with later cholesteatoma diagnosis.; Benefit of the doubt applied due to approximate balance of evidence."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26004968","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"Normal hearing during service.; No in-service complaints or treatment for ear conditions.; VA opinions found less likely than not related to service."},{"case_id":"A26033909","year":2026,"judge":"A. P. SIMPSON","rationale":"No current disability for bleeding ears found; No objective evidence of bleeding ears; No evidence of functional impairment of earning capacity"},{"case_id":"A26032397","year":2026,"judge":"LEETRA J. HARRIS","rationale":"No current diagnosis of otitis media.; Veteran confused about the condition at hearing.; No evidence of middle ear infections."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}