Sinusitis decisions — 2025

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss, initial compensable rating for rhinitis, rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and remanded the claim for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

The Board remands the claims for a compensable rating for chronic rhinitis and service connection for CFS due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The other claims for service connection, including GERD, IBS, lower back strain, chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis, are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition was incurred during his military service due to exposure to various pollutants.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and remanded the issue of service connection for a deviated septum (claimed as a sinus disability).

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 5, 2021, for service connection for non-allergic rhinitis but denied a higher initial rating.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 13, 2023, for the award of service connection for chronic sinusitis but denied a higher initial rating than 50 percent.

The Board denied the service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis, finding no evidence of a direct relationship between the conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and chronic sinusitis to provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for tonsilitis and a left shoulder disability, but denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The claim for a higher rating for GERD was also denied.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 31, 2022 for service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board remands the case for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran has sinusitis that is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for molluscum contagiosum and remanded the claims for sinusitis, colon polyp, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied service connection for breathing difficulties or a respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD emphysematous type or emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asbestosis, and chronic sinusitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinus headaches, left upper extremity hypoesthesia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a left knee disability due to errors in the development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis as there were no incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of April 21, 2023, for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and an award of service connection for OSA, and August 10, 2022, for an award of service connection for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis as due to in-service participation in a TERA.

The Veteran's GERD and Schatzki's ring were granted a combined rating of 30 percent, while other claims for increased ratings or service connection were denied.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinion and correcting duty to assist errors.