Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Board denied compensable disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis with nasal deviation, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's conditions were presented, leading to a denial of all issues on appeal.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure. The claims for Gulf War syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, headaches, tachycardia, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of sinusitis as moot due to a prior grant in February 2020. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of allergic rhinitis was granted at 10%. An earlier effective date of June 8, 2012 was also granted.,The Board found the Veteran's lay statements regarding the ameliorative effects of nasal spray were credible and that his symptoms met the criteria for a 10% evaluation. The appeal is dismissed as to service connection of sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bronchitis and sinusitis is dismissed as the Veteran's election for review in the modernized system is improper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, left foot condition, lower back condition, and migraine headaches have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic sinusitis clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and if so, whether it was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, and service connection for sinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate disability, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, lung disability, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection on all issues related to sinusitis, erectile dysfunction, shoulder conditions, sleep disturbances, and migraine.

The Veteran's daughter was denied eligibility for VA Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) benefits because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a serious injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, and his combined disability rating was insufficient to qualify as such.

The Board has reopened the claims for sleep apnea, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, and left foot injury due to new evidence. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent rating for sinusitis and remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders have been denied. The claims for sinusitis and rhinitis have been granted based on the presumption of exposure to particulate matter under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The rating for sinusitis remains denied, but a compensable rating of 30% is granted for allergic rhinitis starting from February 3, 2021.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's motions to revise two prior rating decisions, finding no CUE and that the effective dates for service connection should not be earlier than December 13, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for night sweats, sinusitis, and rhinitis due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations. The Veteran's night sweats are being considered again as they may be related to his service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The nature and etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis will also be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, a skin disability, migraines, and a respiratory disability (including rhinitis and sinusitis) due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal regarding the issues of service connection for chronic rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis due to exposure to particulate matter from burn pits in Persian Gulf. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.