Sinusitis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's upper respiratory disability, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is considered service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and upper respiratory disabilities.,Hypertension is also found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted. The claim for a respiratory disorder other than allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations performed are insufficient to determine the present claims and additional evidentiary development is needed. The Veteran's sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right wrist and/or forearm disability, and left wrist and/or forearm disability need further examination and opinion.

The Board has not made a fully-informed decision on the issues of service connection for restless leg syndrome, sinusitis, and rhinitis due to lack of opinions regarding aggravation or preexistence. These issues are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his death. The appellant contends that the cause of death was related to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis and nosebleeds are rated at a 30 percent disability rating since March 3, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to procedural issues, need for additional medical examination, and potential secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received to warrant readjudicating the claims for service connection for PTSD, headaches/migraines, knee disabilities, and sinusitis. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's sinusitis associated with nasal deviation is rated at 50% effective from July 20, 2015. The Veteran's GERD and obstructive sleep apnea are both service-connected.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted as service-connected due to exposure to particulate matter during her service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to a duty-to-assist error in not searching for records under the Veteran's maiden name.

The Veteran's increased ratings for insomnia and sinusitis have been granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for each condition.

The Veteran's initial requests for higher ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, and psychiatric disability have been denied.,For the period prior to May 27, 2021, the Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30% effective from September 16, 2013.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to her service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's rhinosinusitis and service, as well as whether it is related to his obstructive sleep apnea. The VA examiner needs to provide a more comprehensive opinion considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him disabled to the extent that he requires regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance from August 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various cancers and sinusitis due to incomplete development. The Veteran's exposure to radiation is under consideration, but no specific basis for exposure was provided.

The Board's July 2019 remand for a compensable rating for service-connected sinusitis with seasonal rhinitis is not considered a final decision, so the August 2020 motion for reversal or revision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and chronic sinusitis as the evidence did not show that these conditions started in service or were related to service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis were denied. The claim for dry eye syndrome with chronic blepharitis is remanded due to incomplete visual field testing.