The Board found that the veteran's service medical records did not show a diagnosis of sinusitis during his active duty. The first post-service evidence of a sinus condition was dated in 1995, approximately 14 years after separation from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a sinus condition is denied.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed no diagnosis of sinusitis during service and the earliest post-service evidence of a sinus condition was over 14 years after separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Sinus condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2002
- Citation
- 0202717
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0202717.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not meet the criteria for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a June 2024 rating decision. The appellant is not entitled to fees because the initial decision granting past-due benefits was not reviewed by an attorney or agent.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a sinus condition, and high blood pressure have been dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a headache condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss was denied.,The appeals for service connection for a broken nose, sinus condition, and tinnitus were dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus condition and fatigue, finding no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or chronic fatigue syndrome.
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.