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.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine pain, allergic rhinitis, and recurrent yeast infections. The claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and left knee pain were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis, including whether there is any nasal obstruction or polyps.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
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