Sinusitis Board decisions

The appeal seeking readjudication of the previously denied claim for PTSD and multiple other conditions is dismissed due to a procedural defect. The Veteran's authorized representative at the time the appeal was submitted did not have the authority to file the appeal.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability was withdrawn. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis pursuant to the PACT Act is granted. The claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, heart, and GERD disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for rhinitis and sinusitis were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran withdrew their claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to tinnitus, is granted. The claims for service connection for hearing loss disability and a disability manifested by shortness of breath other than chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are denied. The claims for service connection for an intestinal disability (diverticulitis), fatigue, hypertension, neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, upper and lower back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right hip disability, left hip disability, right foot pain, left foot pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that January 29, 2009 was the earliest date of entitlement.

The Board has decided that service connection for sinusitis is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War. However, the direct service connection claim remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided that service connection for sinusitis is denied, and the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) must be remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's GERD and his in-service toxic exposures.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including sinusitis, sleep apnea, a stomach disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and a back disability. The appeals are pending further examination or evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's increased rating claim for sinusitis should be remanded to allow further review and consideration of the evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the denial of service connection for sinusitis due to a procedural defect involving an impermissible concurrent election.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, and nerve impairments in multiple extremities. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to adjudicate these claims without further examination or medical opinion.,The Veteran's private medical records indicate he has had sinusitis, migraines, and neuropathy impacting his extremities. However, VA examinations have not provided sufficient information regarding the relationship between these conditions and service-connected disabilities.

The Board has identified a pre-duty to assist error due to an inadequate VA examination report and has ordered the Veteran's claims file to be reviewed by an appropriate clinician for a medical opinion regarding his sinusitis claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are presumptively service connected due to exposure to fine particulate matter. However, direct service connection for these conditions is still available and requires additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's headaches, chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis (presumptive due to burn pit exposure), and bilateral knee disability are all granted. The effective dates for the grants vary based on when the conditions were presumed or diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for sinusitis was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6513.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic rhinitis but denied service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for chronic rhinitis is based on direct evidence, while the denial of sinusitis is due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of competent medical evidence and because the VA examiner who provided the April 2024 VA examinations and opinions was challenged as not being qualified. The Veteran is also not yet afforded VA examinations for his claimed cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities.