Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, chronic sinusitis, and hypertension. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lung disability claim is denied. For the period prior to November 26, 2019, a 50 percent rating for sinusitis with headaches is granted. From November 26, 2019 onwards, a higher rating for hypertension with diabetic nephropathy is denied. Service connection claims for back disability, hump on the neck, right ankle disability, hypothyroidism, and papilledema are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, finding no current disability of either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated septum and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including sinusitis, as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for sinusitis is granted.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is denied.

The Board has received additional evidence and the Veteran's representative has requested that this evidence be reviewed by the AOJ/RO. The Board is therefore remanding these matters to comply with the Veteran’s request.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for hypertension, sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss need further development due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for chronic sinusitis, or earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to January 7, 2014 were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's allergic sinusitis is rated at 50% since November 15, 2019. This rating reflects near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and tenderness of the affected sinus with purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, due to his unemployability found by the Social Security Administration (SSA), VA must consider whether there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis as secondary to his service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, chronic sinusitis, and low back disorder. Service connection was also denied for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for new VA examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as the newly raised issues of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically sinusitis and bronchitis. The VA needs to obtain a medical opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability, including sleep apnea and sinusitis. The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis is also considered in determining whether his current respiratory conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a sinus condition, including sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an unclear opinion regarding whether her pre-existing allergic rhinitis existed prior to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of smallpox vaccination, sinusitis with chronic headaches and sinus infections, and reflux disease.,The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 20, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities.