Sinusitis decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus was denied an earlier effective date, and the appeal for allergic rhinitis was dismissed.

The Board remands the claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis with acute sinusitis to correct an error by the AOJ in failing to provide proper notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing on a Supplemental claim.

The Board denied the claim for an initial PTSD rating in excess of 70 percent, finding the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate the 70 percent criteria rather than the 100 percent criteria. The Board remanded claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.

The Board granted service connection for left foot bunionectomy residuals and scars, but denied a higher rating for right foot bunionectomy residuals and chronic sinusitis. The issues of service connection for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral tinnitus, respiratory disability, and enlarged tonsils were remanded.

The Board dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates for entitlement to service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with tendinitis, lumbar spondylolisthesis and spondylosis, left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected disability of wedge compression fracture at L1 with end plate spurring, degenerative disc disease, and annular tear at the L5-S1. The claim for service connection for rhinitis was denied.

The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and an initial 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while denying service connection for fibromyalgia, respiratory insufficiency, tension headaches, TMJ/TMD, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a scar associated with the right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial, gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, and dismissed his appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied it for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic headaches. The initial ratings for generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and allergic rhinitis were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for anosmia, bilateral hearing loss, and sinusitis as there was no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of the claims. The claim for hypertension was remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, chronic sinusitis, and a chronic headache disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, allergic rhinitis, and a psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for non-allergic rhinitis, lung nodules, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims for an ocular disorder and kidney disease were denied.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability and service connection for various conditions, as additional development is necessary.

The Board granted service connection for asthma, chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic rhinitis, finding no evidence of a relationship between his toxic exposures and the condition.

The Board denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on either side, which are required for a compensable rating.

The appeal for service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements that his sinusitis began during service and has continued to the present.