Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis has been reopened and granted on secondary basis to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to obesity, which was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for cerebral infarction is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep impairment is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis is granted as related to service.,Service connection for fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinusitis and headache disorder are related to service, but has remanded for further examination regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they began during or are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, non-allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) is remanded due to the Veteran's testimony at his hearing. The claim for GERD is also remanded as another VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, respiratory disability (chronic sore throat and sinusitis), right knee disability, left knee disability, PTSD, and depression due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The appeals for chronic fatigue syndrome and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition) have been withdrawn, and the appeals are dismissed.,New evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for impotence, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral calf disabilities. The claims are reopened.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disability other than sinusitis, rhinitis and asthma, manifesting in a chronic cough.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,Service connection is granted for headaches as secondary to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection based on a presumption of exposure to fine particulate matter in Southwest Asia. The right knee disability and left knee disability as secondary to the right knee are denied.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the July 2021 Board remand and thus, the case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is now rated at 40 percent, effective from September 17, 2021. The other conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is granted due to presumed exposure during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already compensated for his symptoms under the existing 50 percent rating for sinusitis, which includes nasal congestion/obstruction as a symptom. Therefore, a separate 10 percent rating under DC 6522 would be pyramiding and not warranted.

The Veteran's allergic/vasomotor rhinitis is rated at 10 percent from August 6, 2010 to November 23, 2021. The Board has remanded the case for clarification on whether sinusitis is part of the service-connected allergic rhinitis or a separate diagnosis.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypertension are granted service connection. The Veteran's pericarditis and kidney disease claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for tonsillitis, finding the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of tonsillitis or its residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cerebral atrophy and sinusitis due to challenges regarding the competency of VA examiners and the adequacy of the August 2019 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma, sinusitis and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis but granted service connection for a left knee disability, including osteochondritis dissecans. The denial is based on the lack of evidence linking sinusitis to service, while the grant is due to the Veteran's current condition being related to his in-service diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and a digestive disorder due to incomplete medical opinions and unassociated VA treatment records. The Veteran's symptoms are believed to be related to his military service.