The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic recurrent sinusitis has been denied as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eustachian tube dysfunction with otitis media (ear condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease with residual scars (knee condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease (back condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disability has been remanded as the evidence does not show that her service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to work.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic recurrent sinusitis, Eustachian tube dysfunction with otitis media (ear condition), Left knee degenerative joint disease with residual scars (knee condition), Lumbar degenerative disc disease (back condition)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2022
- Citation
- 22010292
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 22010292.
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
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