Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and back disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation effective October 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher disability ratings for sinusitis and rhinitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran has acute or chronic sinusitis. The Board will schedule an examination to determine this.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,His left knee condition is determined to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted direct service connection for sinusitis and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis had onset in service. The appeal for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied, as there is no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction on either side of his nose or complete obstruction of one side. The appeal for sleep apnea remains pending under the Legacy appeal system and is dismissed due to concurrent review systems.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report. A new examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his military service, including any toxic exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a collapsed lung disorder, and sinusitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. Claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and a cardiac disability are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and migraines as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 10 percent, but the Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent based on more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge.

The Veteran's headache, Sjogren's syndrome (including dry eye syndrome), systemic lupus erythematosus, and Raynaud's syndrome disabilities are found to be related to her service exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for chronic sinusitis have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, asthma, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a right ankle fracture, low back condition, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis due to the need for additional development regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to a failure of the duty to assist in affording the Veteran a deficient examination. The examiner must reevaluate the likelihood that the conditions preexisted service using the more stringent 'clear and unmistakable' standard.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but has remanded the issue of whether there was a clear and unmistakable error in the November 2009 rating decision that denied entitlement to service connection for sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis was granted, effective from June 1, 2000. The appeal regarding the August 2000 rating decision denying service connection for a nasal disability based on CUE is dismissed as moot.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and sinusitis. The claim of service connection for a disability manifested by perceived noise in the ears is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation. The issues include respiratory, hip, arthritic, and cardiovascular disabilities.