Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for sinusitis with sinus headaches and the effective dates for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's fatigue symptoms are related to another disability or a distinct condition. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to clarify this.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, GERD, IBS, rhinitis, sinusitis, dry skin/scars, a bilateral breast condition, pulled groin, vaginitis, irregular menstruation, cervical spine condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lower extremity nerve damage, ankle strain or Achilles conditions, and foot plantar fasciitis. The effective date for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is denied prior to December 1, 2021.

The Veteran's sinusitis resulted in three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge. The Board granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected sinusitis with headaches has been dismissed because he indicated satisfaction with the current rating of 30 percent.

The Board has granted the restoration of SMC at the housebound level, correcting an improper severance decision issued in May 2020.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sinusitis and her in-service job duties.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension, thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism), and sinusitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

Service connection granted for chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and tinnitus. Effective date not before July 18, 2019.,PTSD service connection granted with an initial rating of 100% since July 18, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of increased rating for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 1, 2020, for the awards of service connection for left plantar fasciitis and ethmoid sinusitis. The Veteran's claims were filed within one year of his discharge from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and her obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner did not address whether her sinusitis or rhinitis caused her uvula and/or tonsil issues, which could have led to her OSA. Additionally, the examiner did not address whether her PTSD interfered with her CPAP usage, aggravating her OSA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing he became unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment within a year prior to his July 2020 filing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a compensable rating for sinusitis due to procedural issues. The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as there is no evidence of chronic hypertension during or within one year after service, nor is it otherwise related to an in-service disease or injury. For his sinusitis, the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating based on incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims and appeals as the Veteran withdrew her appeal, stating she was already rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of sinusitis with a rating of 50 percent was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not timely appeal the initial denial and no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in the prior denial was provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and hypertension due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder blade disability, sinusitis, depression (separate from generalized anxiety disorder), insomnia (separate from generalized anxiety disorder), and collar bone disability due to a lack of current diagnoses in the medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, and irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,An effective date prior to July 11, 2019, for sinusitis and an earlier effective date prior to August 7, 2020, for PTSD have been denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 26, 2019 for the award of service connection for depression rated at 30 percent disabling. The claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition and bilateral hand condition are remanded due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the August 2019 rating decision. The claim for service connection for nasal condition (including sinusitis) is also remanded.