Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an effective date prior to December 6, 2021 for the award of service connection for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is found to have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea, and he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to sinusitis is granted, and the total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and non-allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to his already service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. Rescheduled VA examinations will be conducted to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for separate evaluation of headaches is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will obtain an addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's headaches are a separate condition from his service-connected pansinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, dermatosis of the arms and legs, and sinusitis. The Veteran's claims were granted for an initial rating of 20 percent for right knee patellar instability with bursitis and retro patellar pain syndrome with limitation of flexion, but denied for more than 20 percent in both knees. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, including whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or rhinitis, as well as its relationship to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, vertigo, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,There are no current diagnoses of chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, vertigo, or GERD in the Veteran's medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis and insufficient evidence to link any past or present condition to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic sinusitis due to procedural errors in the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

Service connection for chronic sinusitis has been granted.,An initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being remanded.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is granted a higher initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's migraine headaches are denied any increase in rating beyond the current 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD is denied an increased rating to over 50 percent. The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, OSA, sinusitis, left foot disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all denied.

The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 12, 2025 rating decision. The appellant's supplemental claim and request for TDIU constituted continuous pursuit of the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities and sleep apnea, as well as higher ratings for the back, left shoulder, lower extremity radiculopathy disorders, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is not rated higher than a compensable rating.,Prior to October 16, 2025, the Veteran's sinusitis was not rated higher than 10 percent. From October 16, 2025, it has been rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis disabilities are granted as they had their onset in service or are etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertrophic chin scar and chronic sinusitis, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that his sinus condition may be related to his service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of taste, loss of sense of smell, and pelvic condition are denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder beyond unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including chronic sinusitis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome in both upper extremities, migraines, GERD, and low back disability, have been granted. The Veteran also received a 50% rating for his migraines.