Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are granted from August 5, 2021 due to a new VA rule. The claims for service connection before that date are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and requires further review by the AOJ before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's sinusitis, TMJ, and left knee condition are all found to be service-connected.,Service connection for pituitary disease is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for medical expense reimbursement for non-VA emergency room visits on April 2, 2012 and April 15, 2012. The visit on May 27, 2013 was also granted.,The Veteran sought medical assistance due to worsening symptoms of chest pain, atrial fibrillation, sore throat, shortness of breath, sinusitis, and bronchitis at non-VA facilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's IBS with GERD is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and stomach disabilities, including GERD and gastritis. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to procedural errors and the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory disabilities, including COPD, asthma, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn, and no new evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim. The Board found that the additional evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and respiratory condition due to potential exposure to burn pits during his service in Afghanistan. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to burn pits under the PACT Act, and VA must provide an examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current disabilities related to this exposure.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for migraine headaches, respiratory conditions including sinusitis, and an increased rating for an inguinal hernia. The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied entitlement to a compensable rating for sinusitis prior to August 12, 2022 and denied entitlement to a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has also been granted as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hip stress fractures.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition and exposure history. A new VA examination is needed, including a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) specific examination.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 associated with asthma has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.,Her petition to reopen a claim of service connection for exercise induced asthma is also dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left foot, left ankle, right foot, right knee, neck, sinusitis, and type II diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for sinusitis prior to September 12, 2019. However, a higher rating is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent for his respiratory disability. The TDIU claim is also granted due to the combined effect of multiple disabilities. The claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for the respiratory disability and for service connection for NHL are withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, recurrent sinusitis, and vasomotor rhinitis are granted. However, several issues remain unresolved and need to be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, and sinusitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.