Sinusitis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and sinusitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction or sinusitis, nor has he been treated for these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches with fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability, and right knee disability have not been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation due to the need for higher level aid and attendance related to his traumatic brain injury.

The Board has determined that the current medical opinion is inadequate and requires further examination to determine if any of the identified respiratory disorders are related to or had its onset in service, and whether they were caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted based on presumptive exposure to fine particulate matter, effective August 5, 2021. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis based on exposure to fine particulate matter during active duty in Iraq, effective August 5, 2021. Service connection for sinusitis is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for cervical spine, low back, left knee, sinusitis, and insomnia disabilities due to new and relevant evidence. The appeals are remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for sinusitis is granted with an effective date of February 12, 2016.

The Veteran's sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss claims were denied, while his service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for various conditions and revisions to evaluations. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sinusitis on a direct basis due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's exposure to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and/or hazardous chemicals/sand/dust storms is not considered in the current medical opinion, which may affect the determination of whether his chronic sinusitis had onset during service or was caused by such exposures.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis, including without medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a failure to provide a VA examination addressing the Veteran's lay contentions.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and denied the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, low back disorder, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, left upper extremity numbness, right upper extremity numbness, and tension headaches.

Service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter in the Southwest Asia theatre during the Persian Gulf War is granted from August 5, 2021. The portion of the period on appeal prior to August 5, 2021, is addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and sinusitis were granted effective August 5, 2021, due to a liberalizing rule that established presumptive service connection for these conditions in association with Gulf War exposure. The effective date is set at the earliest possible under VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran was not granted any compensable ratings for these conditions.,For the period prior to April 21, 2023, the Veteran's sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there were no incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes in the previous year. For the period from April 21, 2023 to the present, the Veteran's sinusitis also did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to incomplete records. The VA must attempt to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from the Louisville VAMC from January 2012 through March 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The appellant is not eligible to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the March 2021 rating decision.

Service connection for sinusitis is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, but the issue of service connection on a facts-found basis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and records, particularly regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relationship to service. The case needs further development to clarify these issues.