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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0708471.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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