Sinusitis decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in September 2022 were inadequate and did not comply with the remand directives. Therefore, the claims for service connection are being remanded again to obtain new medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension, OSA, respiratory disabilities including vasomotor rhinitis, pansinusitis, and bronchitis are found to be related to service. The heart arrythmia is not considered a disease or disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have sinusitis, but he currently has allergic rhinitis. The claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to consider his exposure in Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection or higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed. The claims for sebaceous cyst of the nose, chronic pharyngitis, and chronic sinusitis were reopened but not granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and headaches, but denied service connection for hypertension. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a heart disability due to lack of medical opinions addressing these claims.

The Veteran's chronic rhinosinusitis, s/p septoplasty was characterized by headaches and purulent discharge. A rating greater than 30 percent for this condition is denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea required the use of a CPAP machine but did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for sinusitis, finding that it is related to his already service-connected rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA or private treatment records related to sinusitis and resultant sinus headaches. The Veteran needs to provide these records for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a recurrent sinus disability to include sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not manifest during active service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from Lake City Community Hospital Clinics related to sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral neuropathy of the legs, and TDIU are being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding his military service in Vietnam.,The Veteran's appeals for chronic sinusitis, cervical spine disability, bilateral arm radiculopathy, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to January 15, 2020 is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims that require further development.,,,

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA examination for sinusitis and requests that updated treatment records be obtained. The Veteran is unable to attend in-person examinations due to a severe stroke.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a neck scar is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a skin condition (including cellulitis and/or contact dermatitis) is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for sinusitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nasal disabilities, including deviated nasal septum, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis, are related to his service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or had their onset during his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, GERD, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinusitis is related to service and remands for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for intermittent tension headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, right hip strain and trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip strain and trochanteric pain syndrome, and pan sinusitis of the sphenoidal and maxillary sinuses with bilateral mastoid effusions have all been granted due to presumed exposure during service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected ankle and feet conditions also limit his employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically missing sinus x-rays from Shands Hospital in 2015. The Veteran's service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis is being reviewed.