Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, service connection for Parkinson's Disease with restless leg syndrome, skin cancer, acne, rosacea, hypogonadism, pulmonary anomaly, and sinusitis due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus due to missing non-VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for an effective date prior to June 6, 2022, for the grant of service connection for sinusitis. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an appropriate VA examination for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, as it relates to his service-connected nasal disabilities. The examiner must address whether the Veteran's OSA is caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected nasal disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are granted service connection based on direct evidence of in-service injury. The respiratory disability is granted service connection due to the PACT Act presumption for Gulf War Veterans exposed to fine particulate matter.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in service. The claims for sinusitis and rhinitis are denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The issue of a higher initial rating for hypertension was dismissed as there was no substantive appeal filed under the legacy system.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn by her representative in February 2021, resulting in the dismissal of all related claims.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, bronchial asthma, and interstitial lung disease as there was no evidence of a current disability during the claim period or immediately prior to filing.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected tinea cruris, hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the knees, and residual right great toe comminuted fracture are remanded due to delays in contacting him at his current address.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case, and the Veteran requested that his case be returned to the AOJ for review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing he is bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and hypothyroidism due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, double vision, and headaches as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death, finding that the Veteran's service-connected CAD and rhinitis and sinusitis contributed to his death.

The Board has identified errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and has ordered additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis from February 10, 2012 to October 13, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to insufficient episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted a 30 percent rating from November 30, 2005, to May 13, 2019.,A 30 percent rating for sinusitis was also granted beginning August 1, 2019.