The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent prior to July 22, 2019. Since then, the rating has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,For rhinitis, the Veteran was previously denied a compensable rating and now remains in denial with no higher ratings being granted.
The deciding factor: The July 2019 VA examination did not provide sufficient details to adequately decide the increased ratings claims for sinusitis and rhinitis as it only provided details about the Veteran's current symptoms without addressing his history of sinus surgeries or non-incapacitating episodes.,The July 2019 VA examiner opined that the Veteran’s hypertension was less likely related to service, but did not provide a rationale based on the complete medical history.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Anterior Ethmoidal Sinusitis (Sinusitis), Rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20078849
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 20078849.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, including whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or rhinitis, as well as its relationship to in-service exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's active service is from January 2013 to October 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudication purposes, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, hypertension, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The Board is therefore remanding these issues to allow for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.
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