The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS prior to November 2, 2020 is granted at 20 percent. The claim for maxillary sinusitis since November 2, 2020 is granted at 50 percent. The claim for traumatic deviated septum remains denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports a 20% rating for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS prior to November 2, 2020 and a 50% rating for maxillary sinusitis since November 2, 2020. The claim for traumatic deviated septum remains denied as there is no evidence of at least 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side due to the service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Traumatic deviated septum, Maxillary sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21032058
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 21032058.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 10, 2022 for a 10% rating for allergic rhinitis is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 10, 2022 for service connection for maxillary sinusitis under the PACT Act is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or symptoms related to the claimed conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for hypertension, while dismissing appeals for compensable ratings for certain surgical scars and maxillary sinusitis. The Board also remanded several issues including service connection for residuals of left varicocelectomy, to include a hydrocele, and other disability ratings.
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