Sinusitis decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis due to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service. The Veteran was stationed in Guam during his service, but no VA examination or medical opinion could be provided without resorting to speculation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 25, 2014 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

From October 25, 2010 to May 19, 2025, the Veteran's sinusitis was manifested by no more than three non-incapacitating episodes per year.,Effective May 19, 2025, the Veteran has been in receipt of the highest rating available for his sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the AOJ failing to obtain all relevant records, including Social Security Administration and private treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated with consideration of these records.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's right knee disability. The rating for hemorrhoids was also addressed, with some ratings restored or reduced.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to September 13, 2023.,An effective date earlier than September 13, 2023, was not granted due to the lack of any formal or informal claims received before that date.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, adjustment disorder, vertigo, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and provide VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The appeal for an earlier effective date of August 8, 2023 for service connection for GERD has been dismissed as the VA RO granted this effective date in April 2025.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to the in-service TERAs and other non-service-related causes.

The Veteran's claims for sinus and nasal disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and chronic rhinitis, were denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or service connection.,Service connection was granted for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), with the condition having existed for at least six months.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 16, 2020 for both TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board found the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 16, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left eye disability, tinnitus, lumbar spondylosis with facet arthrosis and Schmorl nodes, right wrist disability (status post ganglion cyst removal), night coughing, chest pain and recurring rib displacement, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headache disability, bilateral pes planus, right hand disability, and left knee disability has been dismissed due to untimely filings of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease are being remanded. The claim for service connection for CFS is also being remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic maxillary sinusitis were granted on March 19, 2024. The Board found that the earliest date of claim was March 19, 2024, which is also the effective date as these conditions are not presumed or related to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is granted an initial 30 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for sinusitis and an undiagnosed illness as the Veteran's sinusitis is already service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for sinusitis was granted based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service in Southwest Asia in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 70 percent for PTSD, and denied service connection for other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, and headaches have been granted with noncompensable ratings. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's diagnosed hypertension, sinusitis, and prostate cancer are etiologically related to his presumed in-service Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 24, 2011 due to service-connected depression. He is also granted SMC from January 24, 2025 based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.