Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of sinusitis was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied. The evidence showed that she had Level I hearing in both ears and no other service-connected disability in the non-service connected ear to combine with her right ear hearing loss.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied, as there was no established link between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected right knee disorder.,The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis aggravates her diagnosed asthma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability manifest by fecal urgency and chronic sinusitis, which qualify under the PACT Act provisions. The Veteran's coronary artery disease, respiratory disability (asthma), and neurological impairment of the left hand are remanded due to potential applicability of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 as a result of his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that a direct service connection opinion was not obtained due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's current sinusitis and rhinitis are also being examined in relation to his conceded TERA exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a compensable evaluation for scar, fibrosis of the left cheek above the upper lip. The remaining issues have been remanded: right knee disability, prostate disability (including prostatitis (BPH), chronic epididymitis, urinary dysfunction), chronic sinusitis (including allergic rhinitis), and chronic bronchitis (including asthma).

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to September 3, 2013 was denied as his increase in disability and worsening of symptoms were factually ascertainable on a date specific in the year prior to September 3, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection for various conditions, including plantar fasciitis with pes planus, sinusitis, left varicose veins, right varicose veins, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for a new etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's sinus disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's claim for service connection for a knee disability is remanded, as are his claims for service connection for a chest/congestion disability due to asbestos exposure. The PACT Act requires VA to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis due to outstanding VA and private records, as well as an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia disorder), lumbosacral strain, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tinnitus, leftward septal deviation, nose and neck scars, and urinary disability (manifested by increased frequency).,The Board found the evidence to be approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DD Form 214 and other documentation verifying his service from 1990-1999 are missing, and therefore remands for further efforts to obtain this information. The Veteran is also scheduled for an examination to determine if any of his current disabilities (sleep apnea, sinusitis, right shoulder, neck, bilateral foot nerve compression, and bilateral shin) had their onset during or are related to a period of active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of sinusitis and was exposed to fine particulate matter during his service in Kuwait, which qualifies him for presumptive service connection under PACT Act provisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and sleep apnea have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, effective October 21, 2022. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot paresthesias and remanded the issue of service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to her already service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, rhinitis, and other conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records from WHC and Dr. S., as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled for these claims.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches has been rated at 30 percent since July 31, 2014. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there were no episodes of sinusitis requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician.