Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and pharyngitis. Service connection is also denied for acute otitis media. The cases of sarcoidosis and myelomalacia are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis are granted based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits. However, the claims must be remanded as there is a duty to assist error in not obtaining opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and PTSD have been granted increased ratings, while the issues of service connection for a left knee disability, sleep apnea, and headaches are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and radiculopathy. The Veteran's current diagnoses of arthritis of the back and chronic sinusitis are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis is granted, effective May 30, 2020. The decision finds that the Veteran has consistently exhibited signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis warranting a 30 percent rating throughout the duration of the appeal.

Service connection has been granted for sinusitis, head injury (traumatic brain injury), neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's conditions are all found to be related to service.

Service connection for rhinitis is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.,An initial 30 percent rating is granted for left shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding whether his current condition had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder strain is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding whether his current condition is at least as likely as not (likely) related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her bilateral hearing loss. The rating for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and a higher disability rating has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and migraine headaches due to insufficient consideration of his in-service exposure to contaminants, including aboard ship during sea service. The VA examiner will be asked to consider this exposure when assessing the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was granted. He now has a 50% disability rating for migraine headaches, bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disability, right hip limitation of flexion, left hip limitation of flexion, right hip limitation of extension, left hip limitation of adduction, sinusitis, major right shoulder disability, minor left shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (secondary to lumbar spine disability).

The Board has granted an effective date of August 12, 2011 for a 30% evaluation for service-connected sinusitis. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation prior to this date.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 17, 2019 for a 30 percent rating for maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran's symptoms have been rated as more nearly approximating the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are presumed to be related to his service in Kuwait and Iraq during the Persian Gulf War, where he was exposed to burn pits. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic sinusitis, and thoracolumbar spine pain. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder claim is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, IBS, right shoulder disability, and OSA are granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits.,Service connection is established for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and IBS based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and medical opinion regarding service connection for a respiratory disability, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed in light of new evidence that reopened his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no persuasive evidence that the condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee tendonitis were also denied. The Board found that the current flexion and extension limitations do not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.