Sinusitis decisions — 2023

Service connection for sinusitis is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, which establishes presumptive service connection due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during service in Afghanistan.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, specifically related to his exposure during service.

The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and sinusitis prior to June 3, 2020, finding that his disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service personnel records and private medical records. The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is being reviewed again as new evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's initial and separate ratings for chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis have been granted. Additionally, the Veteran has been awarded SMC at the housebound rate based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity knee and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, together with organic diseases such as coronary artery disease, sinusitis, and hypertension, result in the loss of use of one lower extremity and affect balance and propulsion. The Board grants entitlement to specially adapted housing but dismisses the claim for a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has vacated the November 2022 decision and remanded several issues for further development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the genitourinary disability issue during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis due to additional non-VA treatment records being added to the claims file before certification to the Board. The VA is also requested to obtain a VA opinion addressing which symptoms are attributable to the Veteran's service-connected conditions (allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and sinusitis) in order to avoid impermissible pyramiding.

Service connection is granted for a right foot disorder, chronic sinusitis and rhinitis, and left knee disorders. Service connection is denied for a left foot disorder and right knee disorders.,The Veteran's right foot disorder is related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left foot disorder or a current diagnosis of a left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and associated left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, service connection for sinusitis, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

Service connection for eczema, sinusitis, and BPV as secondary to tinnitus has been reopened.,Headaches have been granted service connection. The effective date is July 18, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine including migraine variants, to include as due to service in Southwest Asia and/or as secondary to service-connected chronic sinusitis, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to her military service.,The Board granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear, considering credible testimony about in-service noise exposure and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's asthma, chronic sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, right foot disability (status post bunionectomy), and bilateral hand dermatitis are all remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran also has issues related to his service-connected conditions that need clarification.

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity and determine if sinusitis is secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The AOJ will obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct further development as needed, and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, or duodenal ulcer. Sinusitis was granted on a presumptive basis, but the Veteran still does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 29, 2019 and thereafter.,The Board also denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, shoulder disabilities, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disability, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, knee disability, low back disability, and neurological disabilities. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in 2016 but new evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.