Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. The Board finds the award was based on new evidence not considered in a prior decision, warranting an earlier effective date of March 10, 2004.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for musculoskeletal conditions, sinusitis, bladder condition, erectile dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia due to pre-existing duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and pansinusitis are denied as there was no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the December 21, 2018 claim.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic sinusitis and remanded the claims of service connection for chronic allergies and thoracolumbar back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, IBS, bilateral hip strain, bilateral ankle disability, right shoulder condition, acid reflux with nausea, rash with pruritus on back and arms, and service-connected PTSD-related HTN are not supported by evidence of a current disability. The Board has also determined that remand is necessary for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his sinusitis is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The TDIU and Dependents' Education Assistance claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and an increased rating for sinusitis have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are a symptom of his service-connected sinusitis, and thus not separately compensable. For the sinusitis claim, the evidence did not show more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, which is required for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hearing loss. The cases are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate for rating purposes, particularly due to a lack of consideration of evidence from active periods of the Veteran's conditions. The claims are therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease with urinary problems and related conditions, have rendered him unable to ambulate without the aid of assistive devices. As a result, he is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and sleep disturbances due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The claim for a sinus condition (claimed as sinusitis) is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities, particularly chronic sinusitis and orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran's GI disorder and hemorrhoids are found to be proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board has also remanded for additional development regarding the claims of vertigo and sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for a back brace, left ankle brace, and left knee brace in 2021 due to insufficient evidence of damage to clothing. The claim for menthol camphor gel topical medication was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are granted due to exposure to burn pits during their Southwest Asia theater of operations, based on the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and for a new VA medical opinion regarding the onset of sinusitis during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of sinusitis is denied as the earliest possible effective date would be August 31, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing VA treatment records and private treatment records, including those from the Naval Hospital in Pensacola.