Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's sinusitis and hemorrhoids have been granted increased ratings, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains on appeal.,The Board has found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss (BHL) due to a lack of current disability evidence.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's medical records did not show any current diagnosis of sinusitis or BHL.

The Veteran's service connection for left knee chondromalacia resulting in osteoarthritis, sinusitis, anosmia, and eczema has been granted with effective dates of July 31, 2015.,An earlier effective date than March 23, 2017 is granted for the reduction in rating for hypothyroidism.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's right knee disability, maxillary sinusitis, and rhinitis. The issues include increased ratings for these conditions, service connection for rhinitis as secondary to sinusitis, and a TDIU claim. Additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and provide an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and/or chronic sinusitis are related to service-connected nasal septum deflection. The VA is required to obtain new opinions addressing these issues.

Service connection is granted for migraines, allergic rhinitis, IBS, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD/MDD is found to be the primary cause of her claimed chronic pain syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis on a direct basis, and the right knee disability as secondary to a right knee disability. The left knee disability is still pending due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and an upper respiratory disability, to include sinusitis, has been withdrawn. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sinus disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability due to additional development being necessary.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for swelling of the feet is dismissed.,Claims of service connection for depression, removal of ovaries, tuberculosis, fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sinusitis, left leg disability, and right leg disability are remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 50 percent prior to June 9, 2014. After that date, the rating remains at 50 percent as there are no additional symptoms not contemplated by the rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied, and his claims for TDIU prior to September 21, 2018 are also denied. His TDIU from September 21, 2018 is moot due to the grant of SMC at the S-1 level.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of ratings in excess of 10 percent on and prior to November 8, 2019, for right knee retropatellar pain syndrome and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. His obstructive sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of sinusitis, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic rhinitis is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations under the PACT Act. The Board also remanded other issues including sinusitis, CFS, fibromyalgia, and chronic rhinitis prior to August 10, 2022.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, CFS, fibromyalgia, and chronic rhinitis are remanded. The Board will attempt to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for sinusitis. Service connection for COPD is remanded, while the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains on appeal.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on a finding that it began during service and persisted since. The Board found no evidence against this claim.

Service connection for a respiratory disability, including allergic rhinitis and asthma, has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis on a direct basis, resolving the issue that was pending prior to the enactment of the PACT Act.