Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Board has denied a compensable rating for rhinitis and has remanded the issue of recoupment of special separation pay.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, specifically in Qatar. However, it denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied entitlement to a compensable rating for a right little finger condition.,The Veteran's appeal was remanded for further action regarding his claims for back, neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, hemorrhoids, and stomach conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for rhinitis and right hip condition as there is no current disability found by the evidence, either by diagnosis or showing of impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and rhinitis due to insufficient evidence in the July 2022 rating decision. The claims are being reviewed again as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis were denied as the Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's lung cysts and sinusitis were diagnosed during service, but there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which he can seek service connection.

The Veteran's bronchitis and tension headaches were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,Service connection was denied for CFS, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical nexus.

The Veteran's sinusitis has not been productive of 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged (lasting 4 to 6 weeks) antibiotic treatment, or 3 to 6 non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not manifested with greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or with polyps.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is granted, while the claims for sinusitis, myopia, cervical spine disability with arthritis, erectile dysfunction, left ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left shoulder sprain, right shoulder sprain, pulled groin, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left carpal tunnel disability, right carpal tunnel disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.

The Veteran's service records do not show a diagnosis of sinusitis, pulmonary fibrosis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for sinusitis is denied as there was no diagnosed condition during service and no current manifestations. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and GERD are also denied due to lack of evidence of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been granted a 30% evaluation. The cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as the obstructive sleep apnea, are being remanded for further development. The compensable initial evaluation for folliculitis of the scalp, face, and neck is also being remanded. The SMC claim is part of the pending increased rating claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it was a proposal to reduce the rating for chronic sinusitis, not a final decision. The Veteran did not have an opportunity to appeal the reduction.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis was denied as he did not have three or more incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year, nor did he meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation due to lack of radical surgery or near constant sinusitis.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied as there were no polyps and his nasal obstruction did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis, effective from November 9, 2018. The Veteran's symptoms include headaches, sinus pain and tenderness, purulent discharge, crusting, and more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis in the prior 12 months.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Allergic Rhinitis, and Migraines were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms severe enough to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of left hip strain, right hip strain, and gastrointestinal condition.