Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The issues include service connection for neurological, genitourinary, and skin conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and barosinusitis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, hemorrhoids, myasthenia gravis, sinusitis, otitis externa, and otitis media have been granted. The issues of service connection for myasthenia gravis, sinusitis, otitis externa, and otitis media are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, but dismissed the appeals regarding fatigue and bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being obtained by VA, and the RO should review this additional evidence and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability, and sinusitis. Service connection for a right ankle disability is being remanded.,Service connection is granted for a low back disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sinusitis. The right ankle disability issue remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal disorder and fatigue are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, paranasal condition, and sleep apnea as these conditions are found to have had their onset during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, and right hand disability. Service connection was denied for the right elbow disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for maxillary sinusitis with headaches prior to August 17, 2022 is denied as the evidence does not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The examiner will assess whether the OSA began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, and if it would have developed but for his service-connected tinnitus or sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is presumed to be related to her service in the Gulf War due to exposure to fine particulate matter, and thus she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is granted as it is secondary to a fall during active duty. The claims for left ear hearing loss, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery, left elbow disability, middle back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD and obesity caused by other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's claims for service connection are inadequate and requires further examination by a physician.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids, right shoulder disability, and sinusitis are all found to have onset during service and are therefore granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's gastroenteritis.