Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection regarding sinusitis was dismissed. The Board found the Veteran's claims for skin conditions and tension headaches related to service were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but denied service connection for allergic rhinitis. The Board found that the Veteran's current sinusitis is related to his active-duty service, while there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or symptoms of allergic rhinitis during the appeal period.

The Veteran's sinusitis resulted in near constant symptoms including headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinuses, and purulent discharge or crusting. He was granted a 50% evaluation for this condition. The Veteran's tinea pedis did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it covered less than five percent of his total body or exposed area.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sinusitis disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board restored the Veteran's 10% rating for sinusitis, effective May 18, 2021. The claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to service connection, including chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroenteritis, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, and sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that his condition did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to any in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The reduction in disability rating for allergic rhinitis from 10% to 0% was not proper, so a restoration of the 10% rating is granted.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted. However, an increased rating for allergic rhinitis remains pending and needs further review.,The reduction in disability rating for allergic rhinitis from 10% to 0% was not proper, so the Veteran's claim for restoration of the 10% rating is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right shoulder strain and chronic sinusitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 6, 2022, for a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected sinusitis. The claim was filed on June 6, 2022, and entitlement to the rating arose on June 1, 1984.

The Board has determined that the VA examination for sinusitis was incomplete and remands the case to obtain a proper opinion. The service connection claims for chronic sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with umbilical hernia and chronic sinusitis have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of such assistance. The appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied as there is no schedular rating for loss of use of a creative organ alone.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 28, 2020 for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted. The Veteran previously submitted a complete application on February 19, 2020, which included his intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's claims for depression separate from service-connected PTSD and residuals of a L4 fracture of the lumbar spine are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is remanded as evidence does not establish its relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded as evidence does not establish their relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.,The Veteran's sinusitis is remanded as evidence does not establish its relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of either condition during or near the period on appeal.

The Board is remanding the claims of chronic sinusitis, ED, and hypertension due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's service connection claim for these conditions will be reconsidered with new medical opinions addressing the presumption of soundness and exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was denied. The claims for service connection of sinusitis, hypertrophied nasal turbinate, and eustachian tube dysfunction were remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining qualifications of VA examiners who examined him throughout the course of the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to alleged asbestos exposure and other medical conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep disorder, left wrist condition, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal issues. The VA must obtain adequate examinations and opinions regarding these claims.