Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for maxillary and frontal sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for initial review of additional evidence by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as the issue has been withdrawn from the legacy appeal system.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and remanded the issue of service connection for a right foot disorder.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to particulate matter during Southwest Asia service. The claims for pulmonary disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder), PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and headaches are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during his military service, and the PACT Act presumption applies.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file and a request for clarification from the Veteran regarding his TDIU claim. The case will be readjudicated after receiving the requested information.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a Le Forte I Osteotomy and sinusitis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service. The VA is instructed to conduct new examinations and obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sinusitis first manifested during active service and continues to this day. The other issues related to hearing loss and ankle disability were denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple surgical procedures and their potential impact on his conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain Social Security Administration disability benefits records, as the record shows SSA disability benefits but there is no evidence of such in the VA file.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for right lower extremity restless leg syndrome and increased ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's request to obtain medical records from Dr. F. D. is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis/chronic sinusitis, finding that the symptoms had their onset during service and have been continuous since separation.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating prior to March 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for sinusitis as secondary to allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis was reopened, and he is now entitled to a higher rating for his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. Ratings were also granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a breathing condition, other than COPD, hay fever/allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis was denied. The Board found that the pre-existing hay fever did not worsen during service and concluded that sinusitis is less likely related to military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 21-0958 Notice of Disagreement and good cause was not shown to extend the filing deadline.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating. Tinnitus and GERD remain at their current 10% ratings. The Veteran's right elbow and left elbow disabilities are denied higher ratings based on limitation of forearm flexion or pronation. The Veteran's shin splints and foot conditions do not warrant compensable ratings. Effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sinusitis and its relationship to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is reopened based on new evidence, but further clarification is needed.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the Veteran having a current diagnosis and in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's oral cancer, which caused his death, is being remanded for a VA opinion to determine its relationship to service exposure at Camp Lejeune and/or herbicide exposure from Vietnam. Additionally, the bilateral lower extremity disorders are also being remanded for a VA opinion on their relation to diabetes mellitus.