The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with retention cyst is currently rated at 50 percent from February 21, 2023. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied as there were not enough incapacitating episodes of sinusitis to warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not experience three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge prior to February 21, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- maxillary sinusitis, mucous retention cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 15, 2023
- Citation
- 23051128
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 23051128.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis and allergies, finding a causal relationship between these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by and/or aggravated by his service-connected maxillary sinusitis, resulting in a grant of service connection for OSA as secondary to the service-connected condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, hypertension, maxillary sinusitis, tension headaches, and PTSD with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are all granted. The left ankle condition is remanded for further review.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.
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.