The Board has determined that the Veteran's left maxillary sinusitis with Caldwell-Luc procedure does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there were no incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge. The claim is therefore denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis did not manifest with one or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.
- Claimed conditions
- left maxillary sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20004939
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.
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The Board granted increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and left maxillary sinusitis, but dismissed the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bronchitis due to a procedural defect.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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