The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum, finding that the condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's deviated septum clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Deviated Septum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23021995
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23021995.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for generalized anxiety disorder, tinnitus, left and right neuralgia sciatica, deviated septum, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The cases of left side and right side neuralgia sciatica, deviated septum, and GERD are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, lumbar spine disability, hip disabilities, restless leg syndrome, hand tremors, deviated septum, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss, due to a need for additional development of evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and deviated septum to obtain new medical opinions addressing their relationship, if any, to the Veteran's military 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.