Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis and asthma due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ needs to reconstruct the Veteran's claims file, including obtaining copies of the November 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, an unspecified anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders (including irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease), obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, residuals of frostbite, and residuals of heat stroke have been granted. The claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are being remanded.

Your claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and chronic rhinitis have been fully granted in a March 2022 rating decision. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sinusitis due to new evidence received since the March 2018 rating decision. The Veteran's hearing testimony indicates a plausible nexus to service, and he should be afforded a VA examination.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The right hip claim is denied, while sinusitis, rhinitis, heart condition (CAD), and bilateral shoulder conditions require further examination and analysis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as the appeal was not timely filed and concurrent elections are prohibited.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for chronic sinusitis due to exposure to burn pits during active duty. However, the claim of direct service connection is remanded as new evidence was submitted after the initial decision.

The Veteran's appeal was reinstated due to the VA Form 9 being timely filed despite not receiving proper notice of the May 2018 Statement of the Case. The Board found that the representative did not receive timely notice and thus the appeal is considered valid.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous examination reports and failure to evaluate certain disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The issues of service connection for left knee, right forearm, right ankle, bronchitis and migraine disorders were denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis were found to have started during active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis aggravated his claimed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address this issue.

The Veteran's right hand disability and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder are granted service connection, while sinusitis, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, and scarring status post inguinal hernia surgery do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches, reactive airway disease, right foot hallux rigidus, right foot arthritis, bilateral hand degenerative arthritis, and bilateral shoulder tendonitis and arthritis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for fatty liver and remanded other issues due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and an upper respiratory condition other than sinusitis or pharyngitis is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need to consider potential TERA exposures.

The Veteran's sinusitis is characterized by one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, and the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.