The Veteran's sinusitis was not manifested by three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge. Therefore, the claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from January 31, 2018 to March 14, 2019 is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as defined by Diagnostic Code 6511 (chronic ethmoid sinusitis).
- Claimed conditions
- Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26006280
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 A26006280.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.
- Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's sinusitis was rated as noncompensable for the period prior to December 9, 2024. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the severity of his symptoms and lack of incapacitating episodes.
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