The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The effective date of this rating decision is not specified.,The Veteran's asthma is denied, with no higher than a 10 percent evaluation being granted.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's muscle tension headaches.,A 10 percent evaluation is granted for each of the Veteran's elbow tendonitis conditions.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is denied and remains at its current 0 percent rating.
The deciding factor: Service connection for sinusitis is granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The March 2008 VA medical examination established a diagnosis of sinusitis, which was noted by the examiner to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.,The cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent based on daily pain and stiffness with forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less. The March 2008 VA medical examination provided a detailed description of the Veteran's symptoms, including her ability to perform activities of daily living due to her condition.,The asthma is rated at 10 percent as it manifests between February and May with intermittent use of a bronchodilator for treatment. Pulmonary function tests were normal, indicating that the Veteran does not have significant respiratory impairment beyond what is necessary for a 10 percent evaluation.,The muscle tension headaches are rated at 30 percent based on their frequency (approximately three times per week) and severity (severe headaches approximately twice per week). The June 2011 VA medical examination provided detailed information about the Veteran's headache symptoms, including her ability to perform daily activities due to her condition.,The right elbow tendonitis is rated at 10 percent based on its frequency of pain (twice per week) and tenderness. The June 2011 VA medical examination provided a thorough physical evaluation of the Veteran's right elbow, noting that it was painful with motion and had limited range of motion.,The left elbow tendonitis is rated at 10 percent based on its frequency of pain (twice per week) and tenderness. The June 2011 VA medical examination provided a thorough physical evaluation of the Veteran's left elbow, noting that it was painful with motion and had limited range of motion.,The allergic rhinitis is rated at 0 percent as there are no nasal symptoms or obstruction requiring treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle disability, sinus infection, degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical spine, asthma, muscle tension headaches, right elbow tendonitis, left elbow tendonitis, allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2014
- Citation
- 1401157
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 1401157.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and asthma due to a failure to provide proper notice for a hearing.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
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.