Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis from January 31, 2018 to March 14, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for sinusitis from March 15, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show three or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and rhinitis with chronic cough, finding that the conditions were incurred or aggravated by service due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The decision is effective as of November 14, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (chronic rhinosinusitis and sleep apnea) rendered him unemployable as of July 1, 2013. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from that date, effective July 1, 2013, and also granted dependents' educational assistance benefits for the same period.

The Veteran's eligibility for VR&E benefits to cover education expenses incurred while pursuing his DDS degree is granted, as he meets the criteria for an employment handicap and has service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Service connection for chronic skin rashes and insomnia are denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis as secondary to his service-connected GERD, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis is denied as the evidence does not show one or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's recurrent ankle, foot, and wrist disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service. The respiratory and sinus disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis are dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection in a prior decision. The claim for service connection for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, cervical strain, rhinitis, sinusitis, and ear infection, otitis media as these conditions were not submitted within one year of his separation from service.

The Veteran's migraines associated with sinusitis have been rated at 50% since May 14, 2021, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that produce severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was dismissed because the AOJ rating decision did not address his claim, and there is no valid Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of VA examinations and incomplete records from the Wilmington VAMC and Long Beach VAMC.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of treatment records from the University Hospital in Birmingham and the Naval Exchange in Brooklyn. The issue is also intertwined with other issues that are currently under review.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including incomplete Social Security Administration records and lack of verification of reported in-service stressors.,,

The Board has denied service connection for chronic sinusitis and remanded the issue of service connection for bursitis, left hip due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection with an effective date of October 30, 2017. An initial rating of 30 percent for sinusitis is also granted.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are found to have begun during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, but service connection for direct exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his Gulf War service is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, left leg scars, bilateral hearing loss, neurological disability of the left leg, and sinus disability have been denied. The Board is remanding the claims for erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disability, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 9, 2016 for the grant of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis and dermatitis and lipomas.,The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a claim for skin cancer included in his previously denied claim, which was filed in January 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's respiratory symptoms are separate from his service-connected conditions or if they are related to military service.