Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for non-allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as a claim for chronic laryngitis. The Veteran's treatment records from Family Medical Associates of Alexandria and Metropolitan ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery are requested to be obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and pes planus, and has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,No new or material evidence was presented, so no changes in rating were granted.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's asthma prior to February 10, 2020, is rated at 30 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with asthma since February 10, 2020, is rated at 50 percent, and no higher ratings are warranted.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis but granted service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea with status post spontaneous pneumothorax.,The decision also found that there was at least equipoise evidence supporting the claim of secondary service connection for atrial fibrillation.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sinusitis, liver condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left foot condition (including frostbite residuals), right foot condition (including frostbite residuals), and swollen and painful joints have all been granted. A rating of 20 percent has been assigned for the right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and traumatic deviated septum (claimed as a nose condition), migraine headaches secondary to these conditions, and tinnitus have all been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for rhinosinusitis and chronic allergic conjunctivitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current conditions or a link to service.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, left shoulder rotator cuff injury, and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, as secondary to service-connected deviated septum and sinusitis; increased ratings for right shoulder instability and limitation of motion associated with the right shoulder; and TDIU prior to July 11, 2013. The issues are being remanded due to failure to obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, headaches, sinusitis, low back disability, skeletal arthritis, shoulder disabilities, and a respiratory disorder are denied.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for sinusitis and radiculopathy to the lower left extremity are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, bronchitis, sinusitis, and OSA due to inadequate examination opinions regarding herbicide exposure. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether each condition is related to service, including in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic sinusitis, claimed as sinus issues. The claims of service connection for migraines and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain prior to May 24, 2023, and from May 24, 2023 are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis (claimed as a sinus disability) due to exposure to burning excrement in Haiti during military service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis and hypertension ratings were reduced, but the Board found that these reductions were improper due to insufficient evidence of sustained improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The ratings have been reinstated.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ear condition, sinusitis, right hip condition, and left hip condition due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for substance abuse disorder as secondary to PTSD has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other claims, including those related to PTSD, heat exhaustion, sinusitis, and a respiratory disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye condition. The claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and chronic sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.