Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left Achilles tendonitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinus disability, and OSA have been granted. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for updated VA examinations to determine the severity of the Veteran's sinusitis and left foot warts, as he failed to report for previous examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for migraine headaches, GERD, and sinusitis. The issues of service connection for a liver disability, as well as earlier effective dates for GERD and sinusitis, are being remanded to determine if there was clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as the previous opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted for service connection from August 10, 2022 due to exposure to burn pits during his Southwest Asia service. Service connection prior to this date remains pending and requires a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle and knee conditions, sinusitis, IBS, gastritis, and GERD due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service.,Service connection for sinusitis is granted. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, which he contends was due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins while in Southwest Asia theater of operations, is granted under the PACT Act. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition is related to this exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis prior to March 22, 2017 was denied as there were not more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis since March 22, 2017 was also denied due to the presence of at least six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fungus of the feet and toenails was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of this condition, and thus denied the claim. Other issues were remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis and/or lumbar strain. The examiner must clarify if the sinus condition aggravates the OSA.

The appeals for service connection for the listed disabilities are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to environmental toxins. The issues of compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, claimed as degenerative arthritis of the right knee, is not service-connected.,The Veteran's sinusitis with epistaxis (claimed as nose bleeds) does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6510.,The Veteran's environmental allergies do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes related to allergic rhinitis.,Prior to November 5, 2020, the Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From November 5, 2020 onwards, he is granted a 30 percent disability rating for his headaches.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), right ear hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (claimed as intestinal condition) is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased disability ratings are all set to June 21, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection is warranted, including low back disability, left shoulder dislocation, left knee disability, right knee disability, corneal abrasion of the left eye, erectile dysfunction, and headaches.,Service connection was denied for residuals of right index finger laceration and residuals of left upper thigh stab wound due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient development. The Veteran's history of these conditions is unclear, and a new opinion from an equally qualified clinician is needed.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's essential tremor is granted a 30 percent rating, and his TBI residuals with PTSD are granted a 50 percent rating prior to August 10, 2020. The remaining conditions have either not been rated or were denied.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for thoracic spine arthritis is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service. Service connection for asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and pulmonary disorder are remanded as the Veteran has not yet been examined for these conditions.,Service connection for heart disorder and chronic fatigue are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding whether these disorders are due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.