Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically sinusitis and rhinitis. Additional development is needed including obtaining records from Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Ford Hood, Texas, and providing an addendum medical opinion by an ENT specialist.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment or care, and the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 is remanded due to unclear causes of death.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claims of service connection for SLE, COPD, and rhinitis/sinusitis are reopened due to new evidence. Osteoporosis is granted as a separate condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back injury and sinus problems have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma have been granted service connection as they are related to her active duty service.

Service connection granted for right ankle disability and left ankle disability as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability. A 10 percent rating is granted prior to June 11, 2021, for chronic sinusitis; a separate 10 percent rating is granted for rhinitis secondary to chronic sinusitis. Service connection denied for PTSD with depressive disorder and tenosynovitis of the right hand.,Service connection established for right ankle disability due to overuse/injury during service. Left ankle disability was determined to be aggravated by right ankle condition.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to dementia, finding that it was not related to the Veteran's military service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is denied. The Board has remanded the claims for respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma, and sinusitis).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in Kuwait qualifies him for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as asthma. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were found to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's costochondritis is rated as noncompensable, with no functional impairment noted on examination. The lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other disabling symptoms.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and prostate cancer were denied as not related to service. The Board found that the Veteran's GERD, gastritis, right ring finger injury, and foot disability are secondary to his service-connected sinusitis.,Service connection for these conditions is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's asthma and chronic sinusitis are granted service connection due to presumed exposure during the Gulf War. The low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 6, 2017 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Veteran's maxillary fracture residuals with sinusitis are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating for sinusitis/rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and residuals of deviated septum have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left leg strain with calcaneal spur and granted an initial 10% rating for chronic sinusitis, but not greater. The right ankle disability and sleep apnea service connection claims are remanded.,A higher rating for chronic sinusitis from February 4, 2020, is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss by VA standards.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating due to lack of purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are being evaluated further.