Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in its decision, specifically not addressing evidence that was favorable to the Veteran regarding his chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Iraq.,The Veteran's respiratory disability remains pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and his symptoms are attributed to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The claim for anxiety and panic attacks is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's current chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis was incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, as a manifestation of his service-connected multiple sclerosis, is granted an increased rating to 70 percent. Separate compensable ratings are assigned for sleep disturbance and right arm sensory changes as manifestations of the service-connected multiple sclerosis. The Veteran also receives special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for chronic sinusitis, and hypertension is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of outstanding records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, and back disabilities. The claim for left knee disability was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection is granted for thoracic scoliosis and low back strain.

The Board has decided the service connection for sinusitis, but remanded the claims for residuals of traumatic brain injuries and right wrist/hand conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a compensable evaluation or higher under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are granted as service connection is presumed due to exposure to particulate matter during her service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and facial hyperhidrosis have been granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on presumptive exposure to particulate matter during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for neck, throat, right knee, and left hip disabilities. Service connection was also dismissed for a chest pain condition.,Issues related to lip papilloma, left toe disability, and lip papilloma residuals are still pending and require further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a nasal disorder and deviated septum to the RO for additional development. The Veteran's nasal disorders are not service-connected as they were not caused by his military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic rhinosinusitis and a higher initial disability rating for the condition, finding that April 2, 2019 is the earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran had a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis. The maximum schedular rating under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, vertigo, dizziness, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War is presumed to have exposed him to particulate matter.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder rotator cuff repair, erectile dysfunction, and sinusitis due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed with additional evidence considered.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis with polyps, residuals of pilonidal cysts, left buttock scar, TMJ dysfunction with bruxism, a left knee/quadricep disability, and a right knee/quadricep disability. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not the result of in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD with TBI (PTSD) have been granted. The effective date for these grants is February 9, 2017. Additionally, the Veteran's claim of service connection for IBS has also been granted, but an earlier effective date was not awarded due to lack of evidence prior to February 9, 2017. The reduction in rating for sinusitis from 10% to zero percent effective June 23, 2021 is upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal to establish earlier effective dates for service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was timely filed, as his Substantive Appeal was submitted within two months of the issuance of the Statement of the Case (SOC) and included a request for an extension due to COVID-19 relief.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or caused by his service-connected chronic rhinosinusitis.