Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis was denied as there were no incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes that required prolonged antibiotic treatment or characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted due to exposure during the Gulf War, while his claim for sinusitis remains denied.

The Veteran's left foot condition, GERD, duodenitis, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder are being remanded for further review.,Specifically, the Veteran contends these conditions are secondary to his service-connected back condition, left knee conditions, right ankle condition, and right foot condition.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as his death occurred during the pendency of these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS is granted, and the rating for sinusitis prior to January 23, 2023 is denied. However, the claim for a higher rating for sinusitis from January 23, 2023 onwards remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A clarifying addendum opinion from a VA clinician is needed to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed acute sinusitis fits the definition of an allergic manifestation.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that it is presumptively due to the Veteran's in-service exposure to burn pits during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's sinusitis, including considering whether it is related to his service and toxic exposure risk activities. The Veteran will need a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for maxillary sinusitis prior to June 22, 2021 is denied. The effective date of the award remains at the constructive receipt date of his intent to file on June 22, 2021.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for chronic sinusitis from January 14, 2014. The Veteran's symptoms include headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, but he did not have three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service due to exposure to burn pits and other environmental hazards during his deployment in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral flat foot are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for chronic sinusitis was dismissed as the April 2021 VA Form 10182, which attempted to opt into the Modernized Decision Review System, was not received within the 60-day appeal period.

The Board has found the records incomplete and remanded for several reasons, including obtaining updated private treatment records from the Veteran's ENT provider and VA treatment records. Additionally, a new examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability due to inadequate previous examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for chronic sinusitis due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to the lack of incapacitating episodes or characteristic symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic sinus problems during service and no link to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted, but only under the PACT Act. The issue of whether it can be granted on other bases than the PACT Act is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for numbness of the 5th cranial nerve and service connection for sinusitis associated with his service-connected residuals of a nasal fracture should be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis and vision problems have been remanded due to the need for further development. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of eye or vision problems other than refractive error.