Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sinusitis began during her service, including exposure to burning oil pits. The case will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A VA examination with medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are related to his military service, including exposure to generators during 'Signal company' overseas deployments.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted a 10% disability rating effective March 1, 2017.,Effective December 30, 2010, the Veteran is entitled to service connection for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (numbness in the right hand).,Effective December 30, 2010, the Veteran is also entitled to service connection for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (numbness in the left hand).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical opinions. The appellant's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to his service-connected sinusitis is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis was also denied because his condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, right ear hearing loss disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. The claims for these conditions are effective as of August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis and service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and anxiety are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to restore a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected sinusitis, finding that the reduction was procedurally proper and that the condition had not improved.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis due to fine particulate matter exposure is granted, effective from the date of service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's snoring and breathing issues prior to his deployment were exacerbated by his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and IBS have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection cannot be established because the Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and denied an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's rhinitis is presumed to be due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during service, as per the PACT Act. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches, rhinitis, and sinusitis have been denied. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.,The Veteran was previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and bronchitis, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee, nasal, jaw, and foot disabilities are granted. The claim for bilateral pes planus is also granted on the basis that it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error in the prior VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the failure of VA to obtain all available VA treatment records since November 2021.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis is increased to 10 percent, effective October 24, 2017. The Veteran's increased disability rating for headaches from July 9, 2018 is also granted.