The Veteran's service connection claim for a sinus disability is denied. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pes planus of the left foot prior to September 24, 2021 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 24, 2021 are also denied. Separate ratings of 20 percent each for neurological abnormalities affecting the right and left upper extremities associated with service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine since February 3, 2021 are granted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a current diagnosis of sinus disability or any other condition that would warrant service connection. The Veteran's pes planus has been rated as moderate and no higher due to lack of objective evidence of severe deformity or marked inward displacement. For the upper extremities, separate ratings are granted based on the presence of neurological abnormalities associated with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Sinus disability, Pes planus of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22046861
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 22046861.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a sinus disability is dismissed.,Service connection granted for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a sinus disability as there was no persuasive evidence that it began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a need for additional evidence, specifically the Veteran's complete service treatment records and service personnel records.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an eye disability, hypertension, a left knee disability, a right knee disability, and a sinus disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or that any of the conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.