Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, headaches, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and headaches are denied.

The appeal of the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension and OSA are granted, with secondary service connection for insomnia disorder as secondary to OSA also being granted.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, cholecystectomy (gallbladder condition), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and a respiratory disability (including asthma and dyspnea) is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, restless leg syndrome, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heart disability to include cardiac arrythmia, right hand disability, TBI, bilateral eye disability as secondary to TBI, and vertigo as secondary to TBI are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is based on direct evidence of a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all service connection issues, and the appeal is dismissed.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's right big toe hallux valgus claim remains pending and will be remanded.,The claims of service connection for sinusitis and lumbar strain (claimed as back injury) are also pending and will be remanded due to insufficient rationale in the prior VA opinion.

The Veteran's asthma and ethmoid sinusitis claims are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to her service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during service and is not secondary to a service-connected condition. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to chronic sinusitis remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the claim of service connection for chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraines, sinusitis, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to missing service treatment records from March 2008 to August 2013 during the Veteran's Army Reserve service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted effective from February 21, 2022. He is now rated at 30% for his sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions obtained in October 2022, August 2023, and November 2024 did not address secondary service connection based on aggravation. Therefore, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea must be remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and sinusitis have aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's tinea pedis, left back scar, and allergic rhinitis are not rated higher than the current noncompensable ratings.,Service connection for sinusitis, right achilles tendon strain, depression, and sleep disturbances is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, as well as service connection for nose bleeds. The Veteran's VA treatment records from December 2021 to April 2022 need to be obtained, and a medical opinion is required regarding the etiology of his nose bleeds.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, and rhinitis are remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, rhinitis, and sinusitis due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's respiratory disabilities are related to his military service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's near constant sinusitis, characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinuses, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries, is now rated at the highest available level (50%) effective August 23, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for herbicide exposure, congestive heart failure, gallbladder condition, migraine headaches, hammer toes of the left and right feet, respiratory disability (chronic sinusitis/Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and intestinal disability have been dismissed. The claim for a 30% rating for migraine headaches has been granted.