The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals, simple fracture, nasal bones, with chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as there was no evidence of three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's sinus disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6513, which is applicable to chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran had three non-incapacitating episodes and one incapacitating episode in the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals, simple fracture, nasal bones, chronic sinusitis, sinus headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20003596
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity to ensure compliance with its previous remand directives.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity to ensure compliance with its previous remand directives.
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