Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis on a presumptive basis as due to exposure to particulate matter is granted. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, and sinusitis are dismissed.

The Board denied the appellant's request for additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a January 2023 rating decision, as the amount was correctly calculated prior to any retired military pay offset.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for chronic sinusitis, as it is secondary to asthma. The AOJ needs to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's sinusitis is at least as likely as not due to or caused by his service-connected asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions, and any increase in disability during service was not due to aggravation.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that new evidence supports these claims under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's chest pain and dizziness are found to be related to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Service connection is granted for these conditions, while diabetes and hypertension are denied as not being caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability. The sinus disability, to include sinusitis, is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of sinusitis is remanded. The motion to revise the September 28, 2009 rating decision due to CUE in relation to sinusitis is also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for sinusitis, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, chronic maxillary and frontal sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum status post-surgical repair are granted. The conditions were found to have onset in or related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sinusitis, bronchitis, and asthma have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to these conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiners concluded that the claimed respiratory disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, the minimum non-compensable level. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on incapacitating episodes or chronic sinusitis following radical surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and allergic rhinitis (previously diagnosed as sinusitis) due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and military service, including exposure to environmental hazards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to discrepancies in the opinions provided by VA clinicians. Clarifying medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions clearly existed prior to service or were caused by an in-service event, injury, or illness.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory complaints and sinusitis as there was no evidence of a diagnosed condition during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for sinusitis prior to August 5, 2021 is being remanded as the effective date of May 27, 2021 has already been granted. The AOJ must now assign a proper initial rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, pseudo folliculitis, ankle disorders, shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, jock itch, adjustment disorder with anxiety, acid reflux, athlete's foot and toenail fungus, and epiphora. The Board found no current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including traumatic brain injury, vertigo, shoulder disabilities, elbow and wrist disabilities, hand disabilities, hip disability, ankle disabilities, respiratory breathing problems, frontal sinusitis, and rhinitis are denied. The Board notes that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to fine particulate matter during his service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for frontal sinusitis and rhinitis is granted based on presumptive exposure to fine particulate matter due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as none of his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for such benefits. The appeal for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment only was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 22, 2020, for a 50% disability rating for pansinusitis. The claim was based on a final August 2018 decision that granted service connection with a 30% rating effective April 24, 2018.