The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for a depression of the nasofrontal area. The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of his sense of smell, deviated septum, and chronic sinusitis is remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence. Service connection for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities remains denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of loss of sense of smell but noted functional impairment related to his complaints. The claim for increased ratings and service connection is remanded as there are insufficient medical records or opinions regarding these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Depression of the nasofrontal area, Loss of sense of smell, Deviated septum, Chronic sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19124100
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.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Dismissed
The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran before the Board promulgated a decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for facial numbness and pulmonary nodules, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The decision also denied an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence to support a causal relationship between his conditions and military service or that his conditions are more severe than currently rated.
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