Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded as further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis, respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to service connection issues. The Veteran's exposure during service is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral ear disability (eustachian tube dysfunction). The Veteran's sinusitis is found to have originated during service and continues since then. Service connection for bilateral ear disability remains in dispute due to a need for additional medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis should be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his in-service head injury, while the nature and etiology of any diagnosed sinus disorders remain unclear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, and rhinitis are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and the need to verify Gulf War exposure.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, asthma and shortness of breath, and headaches due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of medical opinions addressing the Veteran's theories of exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a combined rating of 100 percent prior to November 13, 2017. However, the Board finds that his single disability rated at 100 percent does not render him unemployable due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sinusitis, sleep apnea, and chondromalacia with mild arthritis of the left knee, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 1, 2015.

The Veteran's tendonitis of the right hand and sinusitis are granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal, including those related to a left hand disability, right knee disability, stomach disability, and fibromyalgia, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 14, 2020. His maxillary sinusitis rating from October 1, 2012 to January 16, 2018 was increased to 50 percent and remains at that level. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were denied.

The Veteran's sinus disability is found to have begun during service and granted service connection.,There is no evidence of nosebleeds as a separate disability, thus denial of service connection for nosebleeds.,Right ear hearing loss was not shown to be related to in-service noise exposure or other factors, resulting in denial of service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for headaches and hearing loss have been dismissed.,The appeal of the low back disability rating prior to December 15, 2018 has also been dismissed. The appeal of the low back disability rating since December 15, 2018 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Veteran contends that his symptoms began during service in Vietnam and have continued since.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the onset and relationship of sleep apnea and nasal disorder to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being evaluated, along with his military service records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 8, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's recurrent respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, is being remanded for further evaluation due to exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in the Persian Gulf War. The TDIU claim prior to March 14, 2014, is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to outstanding VA treatment records that may include relevant evidence.