Sinusitis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of ameliorative effects from medications.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sinusitis and rhinitis have been granted based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits during her service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports. The issues include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney conditions, gallbladder conditions, appendix conditions, sinusitis, erectile dysfunction, and eye problems. These matters will be addressed by new medical opinions regarding exposure at Pease Air Force Base.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims in July 2023.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to address the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected sinusitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, depression (secondary to physical conditions/persistent migraine headaches), recurrent sinusitis and rhinitis with mucus retention cyst, and status post hemorrhoidectomy has been granted. The rating for the status post hemorrhoidectomy remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, rhinitis, and right hip disability have been dismissed as moot due to the Board's March 19, 2023 decision.,Service connection for restless leg syndrome and deviated septum has not been established.

The Veteran's appeal regarding chronic rhinosinusitis and right ear hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for pilocytic astrocytoma brain tumor is granted, but the case is remanded to determine appropriate disability ratings for left and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 2020. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from September 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from working from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no allegations of error. The Veteran's recurrent left shoulder disability was not shown during active service or many years thereafter, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted as service connection pursuant to the PACT Act due to exposure during Gulf War service.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and migraine headaches are granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the necessary VA examinations. The PACT Act does not apply as the Veteran is not a Persian Gulf Veteran.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for sinusitis from March 14, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms include near constant sinusitis symptoms such as headaches, congestion, and mucopurulent nasal discharge with more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year.

The Veteran's dermatitis/skin disability, sinusitis, IBS, and acquired psychiatric disability are all granted as service-connected.,All relevant conditions have been linked to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, respiratory disabilities, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, stomach disability, and DM type II with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy. The Veteran's participation in a TERA is acknowledged, but further development is needed to address her exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obesity, which is a component in determining whether his service-connected orthopedic and psychiatric disabilities cause or aggravate his obesity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected asthma, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from private providers and former employers.