Sinusitis decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have been denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or pansinusitis, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim (September 8, 2020).,An effective date prior to April 12, 2023 for the grant of a 30 percent evaluation for rhinitis is denied.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,An initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chronic is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to missing VA records and unsuccessful attempts to retrieve private treatment records. The Veteran is advised to submit any available private information.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected big toe ingrown toenail was denied. The Board found that the maximum disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7813 is warranted.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted, with the Board finding that the Veteran had a probability of hazardous noise exposure during service and his symptoms began in-service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's respiratory disability existed prior to service and was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's prescribed topical skin medication, triamcinolone cream, caused irreparable damage to his clothing and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2020 based on this.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in April 2024.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of sinusitis and to readjudicate left and right knee disabilities due to the appellant's withdrawal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and pancreatic cancer due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam is conceded, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression have been denied. The appeal for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis has been dismissed due to the AOJ's deferred decision. The appeal for service connection for vertigo is remanded as it may be related to hypertension. The appeal for an evaluation greater than 20 percent for cervical strain is also remanded. The appeal for service connection for insomnia is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to bilateral hearing loss, right great toe injury, or chronic sinusitis. The claims are therefore denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. For the right great toe and chronic sinusitis issues, a remand is necessary due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left shoulder impingement syndrome due to a failure to obtain medical records from West Point. The Veteran's claim for sinusitis remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 10, 2022 for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted. The Board found that the Veteran met all eligibility criteria for the liberalized benefit on the effective date of the liberalizing law (PACT Act), which is August 10, 2022, and that such eligibility existed continuously from that date to the date of his claim on June 15, 2023. The Board denied service connection for sinusitis as there was no current diagnosis or evidence of a chronic condition at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic pansinusitis, coronary artery disease (CAD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (PN), and left upper extremity PN are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal request was denied, and the attempted appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was dismissed. The decision also found that OSA is not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, deviated septum, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to untimely filing. The Board has not considered the evidence regarding these claims as they are outside of their jurisdiction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will consider evidence submitted after the March 2024 rating decision.