The Veteran's left ankle tendonitis is granted as service-connected.,A 30 percent disability rating for sinus disability is granted, resolving a previous non-compensable rating. The Veteran has more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not warrant a compensable disability rating as there is no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction in both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side. There are also no nasal polyps present.
The deciding factor: The July 2021 private medical opinion established that the Veteran's left ankle tendonitis was related to his service-connected moderate left ankle sprain, which is considered a progression of the in-service injury.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran had more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. This meets the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under DC 6513.,The March 2022 VA examination report found no evidence of nasal obstruction greater than 50 percent in both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side, nor were there any nasal polyps present.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle tendonitis, sinus disability (maxillary sinus), allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24082248
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 A24082248.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete findings and failure to properly address the onset, cause, and nature of his conditions. The VA will need to schedule examinations to determine if his rhinitis and bilateral hand disabilities are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and a need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's military occupation as a water safety survival instructor.
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