Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a throat disability and sinus condition due to potential issues with causation or aggravation by his service-connected trachoma, as well as the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis due to exposure to particulate matter in Southwest Asia/Horn of Africa. Service connection for hypertension is denied as it did not manifest during the periods of service and there is no evidence of aggravation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions and service connection claims, including seasonal allergic rhinitis, migraine headaches, beta thalassemia minor, sinusitis, OSA, ED, and renal insufficiency.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding sinusitis. The Veteran seeks service connection for this condition, which she asserts had its onset in service and may be related to her exposure to noxious chemicals and sandstorms in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, back disability, and sinus disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a 30 percent rating for the period prior to April 29, 2021 and at a 50 percent rating from April 29, 2021 onwards. The Board found that the Veteran had more than three non-incapacitating episodes per year during this period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's nasal disabilities, including sinusitis, rhinitis, and a deviated septum, are being evaluated for their relation to service. Sleep apnea is also being evaluated for its relationship to his nasal disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not timely appeal the July 2016 rating decision that severed service connection for sinusitis, and he has not alleged clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in that decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis as the Veteran withdrew her appeals prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues of back condition, GERD, sinus condition, respiratory condition, and scars are remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a sinus condition, which is secondary to service-connected traumatic deviated nasal septum status post septoplasty. The Veteran seeks service connection for various sinus conditions including chronic maxillary sinusitis with intermittent epistaxis, bilateral maxillary sinus polyps, chronic allergic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for chronic sinusitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran's claim for chronic sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, while his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of his National Guard records, outstanding VA treatment records, and new opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide addendum opinions as outlined in the decision.

The Board has remanded the cases of left thumb fracture, back disability, and sinusitis for further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's chronic sinusitis prior to November 12, 2019 warrants a non-compensable evaluation, while after that date it warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, avascular necrosis of the right hip, avascular necrosis of the left hip, cellulitis, bilateral feet, bilateral pes planus (also claimed as tendonitis), radiculopathy, and right shoulder torn muscle. The Board has also remanded these reopened claims to obtain additional medical evidence and provide a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claims for SSA records and private treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sinusitis is a separate and distinct disability from her allergic rhinitis, and whether it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service or increased in severity during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess his functional limitations due to his service-connected disabilities.