Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case for a posthumous medical opinion to determine if any of the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, were related to service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic maxillary sinusitis is granted with a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the period on appeal. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent effective August 11, 2021. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,A 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability is granted from August 25, 2014.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PFB, hemorrhoids, right index finger pain, and right groin pain. The claim for sinusitis was granted based on presumptive service connection due to exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet (frostbite) is granted. The claims for sinusitis and chronic rhinitis are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, cervical degenerative joint disease with fusion C3-7, lumbosacral strain (low back pain), and various peripheral nerve conditions, meet the criteria for SMC at a higher rate due to their combined effect on his ability to perform daily activities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as TDIU due to additional evidence received after the April 2020 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations/medical opinions. The Veteran's pes planus was noted upon entrance into service and an aggravation opinion is needed. For allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, a new VA examination and medical opinion are required as the Veteran had non-deployment related exposure through his MOS as Engineer Equipment Repairman.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, rhinosinusitis, sinusitis, and low back disability due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy as due to neck disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as due to neck disability.,Service connection is also granted for chronic sinusitis and headaches, both of which are deemed related to the Veteran's neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and a lung condition (claimed as emphysema) secondary to ankylosing spondylitis due to potential in-service exposure to burn pits. The claims are being reviewed again with consideration of all applicable deployments and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person for the period from September 28, 2021 onward. However, there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities alone result in the need for aid and attendance prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hiatal hernia, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and sinusitis. The decision also remanded several issues related to knee conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Board will consider all evidence received since the May 2020 statement of the case.

Service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis has been granted with an effective date of June 7, 2018.,An earlier effective date of June 7, 2018, was granted for service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's CFS is currently rated at 40 percent, which is appropriate given his symptoms restricting routine daily activities to 50-75% of pre-illness level without periods of incapacitation. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as the evidence did not show nearly constant and severe impairment.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate given his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more than one incapacitating episode per year or six non-incapacitating episodes per year.

The Veteran's sinusitis, cardiac arrhythmia, left wrist muscle and joint pain, and tremors of the hands are presumed to be related to his service in Southwest Asia due to exposure to fine particulate matter.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right wrist sprain is denied.