The veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied. The RO increased the rating for hypertensive heart disease with hypertension to 30 percent, and recharacterized it as hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension. The RO also granted service connection for residuals of right eye injury, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and calluses of the feet. However, all claims for higher evaluations were denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, and there was no evidence to support his claim for service connection. The RO increased the rating for hypertensive heart disease with hypertension but did not grant a higher evaluation as it was determined that the condition had resolved based on history and physical examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Sinusitis, Hypertensive Heart Disease with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Hypertension, Right Eye Injury, Chorioretinal Scarring, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, Calluses of the Feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2002
- Citation
- 0215412
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 0215412.
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.
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.