The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted a 30 percent rating. The low back disability is granted a 20 percent rating effective November 9, 2017; a 40 percent rating effective January 13, 2020; and denied for ratings in excess of these levels.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's sinusitis has caused several non-incapacitating episodes per year without requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. The low back disability was found to have more nearly approximated flexion limited to between 31 and 60 degrees effective November 9, 2017; flexion limited to at most 30 degrees effective January 13, 2020; and never resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or the approximation thereof.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Sinusitis, Low Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23018486
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 23018486.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
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