The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic pansinusitis and denied entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP). The veteran's chronic pansinusitis is manifested by subjective complaints of pain, recurrent nasal stuffiness, and occasional headaches. He has no incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.
The deciding factor: The veteran’s sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new regulatory criteria as it was characterized by moderate symptoms that were not frequent enough to warrant an increased evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic pansinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2002
- Citation
- 0207659
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 0207659.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is granted service connection.,A compensable rating for chronic pansinusitis prior to August 15, 2025 is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.,A compensable rating for migraine with migraine variants is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinion pursuant to the PACT Act.,Service connection for right hip disability (osteoarthritis) is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic pansinusitis, coronary artery disease (CAD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (PN), and left upper extremity PN are all granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his heart conditions were related to his period of service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic pansinusitis, as the ratings assigned constitute the evaluation of the same sinus disability under various diagnoses.
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.