Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The appeal for chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. Service connection for a sinus condition, diagnosed as rhinitis and sinusitis, on a presumptive basis, is granted. The appeals for sleep apnea, headaches, hiatal hernia, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and various musculoskeletal issues, did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran had a solid foundation for employment based on his education and work history, despite some limitations due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis, as well as initial compensable ratings for onychomycosis, vitiligo, and tinea pedis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for sinusitis, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that his sinusitis increased in severity warranting such a rating prior to October 28, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for an upper respiratory disability, specifically chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's symptoms of nasal congestion are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with retention cyst is currently rated at 50 percent from February 21, 2023. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied as there were not enough incapacitating episodes of sinusitis to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. Effective dates of June 23, 2017 have been granted for service connection awards for bilateral flat feet, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been denied. Service connection for ethmoid sinusitis is granted with a rating of 30 percent disabling. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and GERD are being remanded for further evaluation due to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, abnormal liver function, bruxism requiring a night guard, right leg condition (claimed as unequal leg length acquired), and left leg condition (claimed as unequal leg length acquired) have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or that any claimed conditions are related to service.,The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, abnormal liver function, bruxism requiring a night guard, right leg condition (claimed as unequal leg length acquired), and left leg condition (claimed as unequal leg length acquired) have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or that any claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bronchitis, migraines, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms likely began during her active duty in 2000. The Board also granted service connection for a headache disability, which is secondary to her now service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's asthma began during or after her service, and to obtain a VA respiratory examination.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder (allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis), headache disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Southwest Asia. Effective dates will be determined based on the date of receipt of claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, rhinitis/sinusitis, stroke, blood clots in the left eye, chest pains, and hypertension are denied. The claim for service connection for PFB is also denied since June 27, 2014. A rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted effective November 13, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right ankle and hip/thigh conditions, as well as chronic sinusitis, are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her service-connected sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA opinions regarding service connection and secondary service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran seeks service connection for his sleep apnea, which he asserts began during service or was caused by his service-connected asthma and sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, back condition, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of tuberculosis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.