Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's diagnosed chronic right maxillary sinusitis is found to be a result of his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was attributed to environmental allergens rather than service-related exposures.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal. The claims for reopening were granted, and new evidence was submitted in support of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that sinusitis is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active duty service and grants service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence or lack of proper examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during his military service. The decision is based on credible lay evidence and medical findings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity and if that led to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and TDIU prior to November 6, 2018 is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation above 10 percent for chronic sinusitis due to the lack of incapacitating episodes or radical surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, tinnitus, tussive syncope, and chronic sinusitis, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 13, 2020. The Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for hepatitis C and denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral maxillary sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for urethritis, skin disorder, sinusitis, and photophobia due to lack of current diagnoses. The appeals are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis has been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether a compensable rating is warranted, and thus awarded a 10% rating effective December 8, 2015. Service connection for bilateral pes planus remains pending due to remand.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, perforated right ear drum, and cervical spine disability. The remaining claims of sinusitis, respiratory disability (including asthma and bronchitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded as well.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis with headaches is granted for the period prior to November 17, 2020, but denied for the entire rating period on appeal. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and scarring of the genitals are not service connected.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted a 10% disability rating from May 24, 2015 to April 17, 2017. Prior to this period and after April 18, 2017, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted. The Board has decided that the case should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between OSA and his service-connected sinusitis and sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions and new evidence.