Sinusitis decisions — 2026

The Board denied the appellant's request for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in a June 2024 rating decision that granted service connection for left hip disorder, GERD with IBS, sinusitis, and BPH with voiding dysfunction and ED. The appeal was dismissed as the claims were considered original requests for new benefits.

The reduction of the rating for chronic sinusitis from 30 percent to 0 percent, effective July 1, 2025, was improper and the 30 percent rating is restored.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis due to a lack of TERA memo and VA medical opinions. The Veteran's obesity is related to his service-connected left knee disability, psychiatric disorder, or psychiatric disorder medications, which may serve as an intermediary step to the development of his diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension. The effect of possible weight gain due to his service-connected left knee disability has not been considered, nor has his mental health medication effects.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was caused or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD. Therefore, service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is granted service connection.,A compensable rating for chronic pansinusitis prior to August 15, 2025 is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.,A compensable rating for migraine with migraine variants is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinion pursuant to the PACT Act.,Service connection for right hip disability (osteoarthritis) is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis has been granted due to exposure to fine particulate matter during active duty in the Persian Gulf.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, bilateral shin splints, gastroenteritis, headaches, left hip pain, vertigo, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lower back pain, or radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia and did not receive a VA examination prior to the June 2024 rating decision on appeal regarding whether fibromyalgia had its onset in service or is otherwise related to her service. As such, service connection for this condition is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus but has remanded the claim for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sinusitis due to a failure of the AOJ to provide a VA examination, which is considered a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or limitation of motion to a degree warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for sinusitis was denied because there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis, and the Veteran does not have objective indications of chronic disability.

The Board has dismissed all appeal issues as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by and/or aggravated by his service-connected maxillary sinusitis, resulting in a grant of service connection for OSA as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis, finding no current disability related to in-service environmental hazards and toxin exposure.

The Veteran's sinusitis was rated as noncompensable for the period prior to December 9, 2024. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the severity of his symptoms and lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, IBS, and CFS are all granted as service-connected. Major depressive disorder is also granted.,A skin disorder claim was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal for the issues of whether new and relevant evidence sufficient to reopen claims for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to an error in providing notice of his right to a hearing before the RO.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis.