Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including sleep apnea, is remanded. The Veteran also has an increased rating claim for PTSD and seeks entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) and his active-duty service, including exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulders, migraines (including as due to service-connected fibromyalgia, PTSD and IBS), a respiratory disorder (sinusitis), rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected fibromyalgia, and rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis did not result in physician-prescribed bed rest or purulent discharge during the claim period, so a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for kidney stones was granted. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, claimed as a chronic sinus condition, is also granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and headaches. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied an increased rating prior to June 25, 2018.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for COPD is granted, and the appeal is allowed in part. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, fatty liver disease, GERD, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current heart disability and sinusitis are related to her service. The VA will need to provide additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic recurrent sinusitis has been denied as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for eustachian tube dysfunction with otitis media (ear condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease with residual scars (knee condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease (back condition) has been remanded as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disability has been remanded as the evidence does not show that her service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to work.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be obtained before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is being asked to provide information about any relevant non-VA medical records and for VA to obtain them.

The Veteran's current disabilities of epistaxis, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis are found to be causally related to his active duty military service.,Service connection is granted for epistaxis, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service. Service connection was denied for residuals of a fractured nose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain STRs and VA treatment records, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims related to various conditions, including right and left ankle sprains, sinusitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, blisters on the feet, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sciatica, upper respiratory infection, alopecia, hair implants, DJD of the hip, lumbar spine DDD, and hearing loss. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sinusitis, rhinitis, and sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's sinus condition, including sinusitis and rhinitis, began during active service.,The Veteran's intestinal disorder, including diverticulitis and IBS, also began during active service.,However, the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, began during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence. The respiratory condition claim is related to exposure during training, while the low back condition claim requires a new examination considering the in-service fall.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin rash, chronic sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of current diagnoses. The cases are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.