Sinusitis decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than August 5, 2021, for service connection of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The effective date remains August 5, 2021.

The Veteran's sinusitis disability has not manifested in three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a failure to comply with duty-to-assist requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 7, 2013, because the evidence showed the veteran was able to maintain full-time employment during that period.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis because the VA did not comply with prior remand directives to obtain an adequate examination and medical opinion.

The veteran's service connection for a cervical spine condition and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness was granted. The veteran's rating for unspecified anxiety disorder was restored to 70 percent. Other issues were denied or remanded.

The veteran's service connection for respiratory symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness and sinusitis has been granted.

The veteran was granted a 10% rating for chronic sinusitis but denied a compensable rating for chronic rhinitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability and skin disability were dismissed. Service connection for headaches secondary to sinusitis and AFib was granted, but the claim for an initial compensable rating for sinusitis was denied. The claim for OSA is remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to asthma and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating higher than 70% for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remanded the claim for a compensable rating for rhinitis to clarify the severity of the condition without considering medication effects.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis was denied because the evidence did not show the required level of obstruction or polyps.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied. The veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for migraines starting from January 21, 2020. Other issues related to PTSD and allergic rhinitis were remanded.

The veteran withdrew their appeal for all claimed conditions, so the Board dismissed the case.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy were dismissed due to duplication. The appeal for service connection for sinusitis was remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, depressive disorder to include sleep disorder, GERD, and plantar fasciitis were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with obesity as an intermediate step secondary to allergic rhinitis, has been granted.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis because the symptoms did not meet the required criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, and rhinitis are being reviewed.