Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for laryngitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis with a deviated septum. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and lung condition, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service, migraines, and sinusitis.

The Veteran was found to be gainfully employed throughout the period of appeal and thus not unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for atopic dermatitis is dismissed. The appeals for sinusitis, left knee disorder, left hip impingement syndrome, allergic rhinitis, pes planus, right hand sprain, and right hamstring strain are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's back, neck, and sinusitis disabilities are granted service connection. Service connection for OSA is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to PTSD or sinusitis. Service connection for a left arm nerve condition is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding a December 2019 VA medical opinion. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine if she has had chronic sinus disorders at any time since November 2013 and whether such conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of sinusitis and allergic rhinitis for further development due to insufficient explanations in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected sinusitis from May 2, 2022 is denied. The case is also remanded to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's maxillary fracture residuals with sinusitis are rated at 30 percent prior to January 3, 2022, and at 50 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran met the criteria for a higher 30 percent rating prior to January 3, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease (recharacterized) is rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2014. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address secondary service connection claims, including anosmia, sinusitis with incapacitating episodes, and headaches related to his deviated septum. The psychiatric disability claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is linked to his in-service symptoms and treatment.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and COPD. For the period prior to May 30, 2002, entitlement to TDIU was also denied. From May 30, 2002, to February 28, 2016, entitlement to extraschedular TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence of a current disability. The Veteran also has multiple issues related to hand and foot tendonitis, as well as TBI and psychiatric disorders that are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions alone do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a headache disorder and sinusitis due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension is dismissed. PTSD and alcohol and substance abuse disorders are granted service connection, as well as erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, GERD, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for OSA and has also determined that OSA is aggravated by his service-connected Chronic Sinusitis. As a result, the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected Chronic Sinusitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is in need of such assistance.