Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including post residual right foot neuroma, right foot hallus rigidus and bunion, and left first metatarsophalangeal joint disorder, is granted as service connected.,Chronic sinusitis with sinus headaches are granted under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits during service. Service connection for chronic sinusitis prior to the PACT Act's effective date remains remanded.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not being causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for COPD, which may be related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for sinusitis is also denied.

The Veteran's TBI, including hemorrhage of the right cerebral hemisphere, is rated at 10 percent and denied an increased rating.,An initial 30 percent rating for traumatic deviated septum with chronic sinusitis and right maxillary sinus retention cyst was granted effective prior to March 4, 2022. The Veteran's migraine headaches are also rated at 30 percent from January 31, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, IBS, CAD, right ankle disability, right knee disability, headaches, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, have caused obesity. The examiner should also assess if obesity is a substantial factor in causing sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, CFS, sleep apnea, stroke residuals, lumbar spine disability, rib fractures with left hemithorax pain, arm and hand muscle/joint pain, tremors of hands, weakness and coordination issues of legs, and a left knee disability. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims for right elbow, lumbar spine, sinusitis, vertigo, and asthma disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,VA will obtain all updated VA treatment records and ensure that any Community Care program records are associated with the file.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, long and short-term memory loss, rhinitis, and sinusitis as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an examination not being conducted as requested. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for the VA examination may have adverse consequences, inasmuch as the examiner will not be able to examine or interview him in connection with his claim if he does not appear.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection due to exposure to burn pits during service. The appeal for the initial rating of TBI with PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. Service connection for right knee and low back disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including those related to lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, skin disorder, sinusitis, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria is denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to SMC prior to May 23, 2008.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The matters are being returned for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding reduced ratings for sinusitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of these conditions. The initial increased rating for rhinitis was granted to 30 percent from November 12, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and GERD. The Veteran was awarded ratings of 20%, 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), low back disability, and sinusitis have been denied. The claim for chronic headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of anemia, degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and heart murmur have been withdrawn. The appeal as to these issues is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, sinus disability (variously diagnosed as sinusitis and rhinitis), nasoseptal deformity, and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to lack of anatomical loss or permanent loss of use of a hand or foot.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 2, 2020 for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is granted. The Veteran has a single disability rated as 100% disabling (coronary artery disease) and additional disabilities with combined ratings of at least 60%, meeting the criteria for housebound status.