The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left nasal cavity were denied as not well grounded. The claim for increased evaluation for partial hemiparesis of the left ulnar nerve, residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and knee, and tracheostomy was also denied. The claims for effective dates earlier than June 11, 1997, for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right ankle and neck were not addressed as they are not well grounded.
The deciding factor: The veteran's sinusitis claim was denied because it was not present in service or for many years later, is not demonstrated currently, and is not related to an incident of service or a service-connected disability. The residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left nasal cavity were granted as they are considered a residual of injuries sustained in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Sinusitis, Residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left nasal cavity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2002
- Citation
- 0203566
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 0203566.
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: Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's sinusitis was rated as noncompensable for the period prior to December 9, 2024. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the severity of his symptoms and lack of incapacitating episodes.
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