Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis is denied as there are no incapacitating episodes or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to obtain all relevant medical records. The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including sinusitis, bronchitis, and asthma, are now subject to further review.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal disorders, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The issues are being remanded to ensure compliance with previous Board instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, skin cancer, a headache disorder, GERD, and other musculoskeletal issues. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the issue of service connection for a deviated nasal septum due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis and right eye disorder claims are remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions and determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for trench foot and tuberculosis have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, initially claimed as PTSD or specific phobia. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of specific phobia are credible and etiologically related to service.,Service connection has also been granted for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, both diagnosed within ten years after Southwest Asia service and presumed due to exposure to particulate matter during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of itchy eyes was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. Service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is granted due to in-service exposure within the presumptive period.,Issues related to low back disorder, right knee disorder, prostate disorder (BHP), obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service or aggravated by the March 2011 injury.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a new VA examination and opinion to reconcile conflicting medical opinions regarding its etiology, specifically whether it is secondary to TBI or obesity-related.,The Veteran's bilateral flatfoot is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if the condition preexisted service and was aggravated by active duty or ACDUTRA.,The Veteran's bruxism is remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his TBI/PTSD.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is presumed to be related to exposure to particulate matter during his active duty service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The claims for tension headaches and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and restored the 50% rating for bilateral plantar fibromatosis/fasciitis from May 17, 2016. The rating reduction of 50% to 30% was not proper.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent or higher for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus has been granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis is also granted. The claims for increased evaluations above the current ratings for left shoulder osteoarthritis, allergic rhinitis, coronary artery atherosclerosis, hypertension, post-surgical right knee arthroscope, left ankle achilles tendonitis, hordeolum, macroglossia, scar, skin malignant melanoma, TBI, paresthesias, TMJ, and multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities have all been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of his Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder (with TBI), chronic sinusitis, bilateral tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ear problems, including status post mastoidectomy left ear and associated hearing loss are granted. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's right knee problem and left knee problem are also remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's sinus problems, to include chronic ethmoidal sinusitis, are remanded for an examination considering herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for sinusitis was denied, and the Board found that a separate rating is granted for gastroesophageal symptoms. The issues of service connection for bladder/bowel impairment, dental disability, and thyroid disability are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia (status post surgery), right ankle degenerative changes (post-fracture), right shoulder degenerative changes, and left shoulder status post resection of the left distal clavicle are all granted. Headaches and sinusitis also received initial rating grants.