The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disorder and a headache disorder, including as secondary to his sinus disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence linking the current sinus or headache disorders to the veteran's military service, particularly to any exposure to volcanic ash and smoke in 1991.
- Claimed conditions
- Sinus Disorder, Headache Disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2008
- Citation
- 0842436
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 0842436.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Headache Disorder due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and the absence of a causal relationship between these conditions and service. The claim for Headache Disorder is remanded for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly regarding his shoulder disorders and nasal surgeries. The claims for service connection have been remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
An effective date of April 11, 2022, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for a headache disorder is granted. A 30 percent rating, but no more, for a headache disorder is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided prior to the January 2025 decision on appeal were inadequate. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, must be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
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