Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are related to his service at Camp Pendleton in February 2002, where he experienced cold conditions. The Board found an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding these disabilities and granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches or migraines, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus has been remanded due to the need for further development. The effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic sinusitis is set at September 24, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, tinea pedis, and tinea versicolor due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected pes planus and to determine if any of his claimed disabilities are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraines, IBS, ED, and sinusitis, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined ratings are sufficient to account for his disability symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, tinnitus, and denied service connection for residuals of wisdom teeth extraction, a back disability, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD. The claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of chronic sinusitis and right wrist disability. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection due to incomplete records, lack of VA examinations, and other procedural issues. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and authorize their release.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and status post ACL repair, right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia with medial meniscal tear, left ankle arthritic changes, and sinusitis. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including sinusitis, PTSD, vertigo, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), sleep apnea, and problems breathing. The claims are not currently decided on the merits.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for acute sinusitis, a gastrointestinal condition, and a traumatic brain injury, as well as the increased rating claims for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and migraines. The Veteran or his authorized representative requested to withdraw these appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is currently rated at 50 percent effective January 24, 2000. The Board found that his symptoms warranted a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8100 for migraines.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, headaches, a left ankle condition, and an unspecified respiratory condition are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for the left ankle condition, unspecified respiratory condition (due to burn pit exposure or other environmental exposures), and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip condition, painful motion associated with left knee condition (now diagnosed as arthritis), and limitation of motion associated with left knee condition (now diagnosed as arthritis) have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues remaining pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinosinusitis with left anthropolypoid sinusitis due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for Right Thumb and Forefinger Disability, Right Toe Disability, and Sinusitis. The appeal for Tinnitus is granted. The appeal for Back Disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 80 percent combined, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating due to his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she requested withdrawal of all remaining issues.