Sinusitis decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of February 22, 2022, for the award of service connection for chronic sinusitis and rhinitis based on a liberalizing change in law.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted, while the claims for temporomandibular joint disorder, vertigo, insomnia (also claimed as depression), and hemorrhoids were denied. The Board also remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of sinusitis due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder as secondary to tinnitus and denied the claims for service connection for TBI, sinusitis, higher ratings for left CTS, left inguinal hernia, and a scar associated with left inguinal hernia. The decision also remanded several other conditions for further development.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for service-connected painful left foot scar from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective July 19, 2023, was not proper and is void ab initio.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(l 1/2) rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. � 1114(p), subject to any statutory or regulatory cap.

The Board granted service connection for left knee, right knee, lumbosacral strain, and right hand scars, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, tension headaches, shoulder bursitis, foot plantar fasciitis, ankle tendonitis, thumb strain, and PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder. The Board also remanded claims for fatigue, CFS, sleep apnea, and amputated left little finger.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sinus disorder, as there is insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's stress fracture, mid-distal femur, right leg with limited flexion and restored the 30 percent rating for the Veteran's stress fracture, mid-distal femur, right leg with limitation of abduction and rotation. The other claims were denied.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and denied higher ratings or service connection for other conditions.

The Board granted presumptive service connection for allergic rhinitis based on the Veteran's presumed exposure to fine, particulate matter during his service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis, and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, dermatitis, and IBS, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disability, a bilateral foot disability, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, swollen lymph nodes, sinusitis, hypercalciuria, and a functional gastrointestinal disorder as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or nexus to service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability and a 30 percent rating for the right shoulder disability, effective October 19, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded claims for service connection of disabilities affecting the hands, feet, and other conditions due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis and service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI), but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, as well as withdrawal of the appeal for erectile dysfunction and allergic rhinitis.