Sinusitis decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, sinusitis, and asthma due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.,Service treatment records show some medical issues during service but no chronic or persistent symptoms related to the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and sinusitis for additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service, specifically addressing whether they were aggravated by another condition (sinusitis).

The Veteran's sinusitis is presumed to be related to her service in the Persian Gulf due to exposure to particulate matter, and she has met the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the period prior to August 14, 2017. The decision is pending further development and review.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for sinus disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and knee disabilities. The Board also directed further VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory and leg disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is presumed sound at entrance into service as to any respiratory condition, and his preexisting conditions prior to military service are disregarded.

The Board has denied service connection for deviated septum, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. The claim for GERD is remanded as the VA examiner did not address the November 1973 VA treatment record indicating a history of gastrointestinal complaints since 1971.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for sinusitis, service connection for stomach condition and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board granted presumptive service connection for sinusitis due to exposure to particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War, but remanded direct service connection for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to incomplete service records, lack of VA medical opinions addressing all relevant lay statements, and potential exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims for sinusitis and nasal cancer will be reconsidered in light of these developments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right kidney cancer was denied in April 2013 and has not been reopened.,An initial rating of 50 percent for anxiety disorder prior to January 11, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis was denied, as the evidence did not show polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides.,For GERD, the Veteran's initial rating prior to October 8, 2019 was granted at 30%, but it was remanded from that date onwards due to lack of sufficient symptoms.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his OSA, were granted service connection. The cardiovascular and respiratory conditions are remanded for further examination.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and chronic sinusitis were denied as there was no evidence of prostrating attacks or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder were all denied as well.

The Board remands the claims for further evidentiary development and to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions.