The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, and eye disability (including glaucoma) have been denied as there is no evidence of their onset or etiology in service. The Board finds that the lack of post-service evidence showing symptoms until nearly three decades after discharge from service tends to show these conditions did not have their onset in service or for years thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not document any complaints or manifestations of sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, or eye disability (including glaucoma) during service. The lack of post-service evidence showing symptoms until nearly three decades after discharge from service is probative against the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Psychiatric Disability, Sinusitis, Eye Disability (including Glaucoma), Chronic Sinusitis, Eye Disorder (including Glaucoma)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2016
- Citation
- 1611839
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 1611839.
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: Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA medical exams provided are inadequate for rating purposes and remands the case to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal.
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