The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The veteran was not granted a compensable rating for his sinusitis, as there were no incapacitating episodes. For his hiatal hernia with GERD, he received a 10 percent disability rating effective from October 2001.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support the presence of incapacitating or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis that would warrant a compensable rating under the criteria for evaluating sinusitis. For his hiatal hernia with GERD, the Board found that there was an improvement in symptoms following surgery but residual symptoms remained.
- Claimed conditions
- sinusitis, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 26, 2004
- Citation
- 0420155
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0420155.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has ordered the case back to the AOJ for proper notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to provide proper notice of his right to a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and authorization for private treatment providers. The issues include heart disorder, OSA, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder all related to Agent Orange exposure.
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