The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has had six or more non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year, characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. However, his sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or repeated surgeries. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran had six or more non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year, warranting a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6513. However, his sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or repeated surgeries.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18151068
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 18151068.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia and Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, bronchus, as well as an extension of the temporary 100 percent disability evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and hypertension.
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