The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for chronic suppurative otitis media and frontal sinusitis, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed no incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches and pain. The veteran's otitis media was found to have suppuration and drainage, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 6200.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media, Frontal Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2007
- Citation
- 0708471
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 0708471.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the severity of her frontal sinusitis condition, specifically considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including traumatic brain injury, vertigo, shoulder disabilities, elbow and wrist disabilities, hand disabilities, hip disability, ankle disabilities, respiratory breathing problems, frontal sinusitis, and rhinitis are denied. The Board notes that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to fine particulate matter during his service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for frontal sinusitis and rhinitis is granted based on presumptive exposure to fine particulate matter due to service in Southwest Asia.
- Denied
The Veteran's chronic suppurative otitis media and chronic otitis externa are each rated at 10 percent, effective from April 10, 2009. The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent from May 20, 2008 to December 2, 2015.
- Granted
The Veteran has been rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities from June 26, 2012.
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