Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as the appeal was not timely filed and concurrent elections are prohibited.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for chronic sinusitis due to exposure to burn pits during active duty. However, the claim of direct service connection is remanded as new evidence was submitted after the initial decision.

The Veteran's appeal was reinstated due to the VA Form 9 being timely filed despite not receiving proper notice of the May 2018 Statement of the Case. The Board found that the representative did not receive timely notice and thus the appeal is considered valid.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous examination reports and failure to evaluate certain disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The issues of service connection for left knee, right forearm, right ankle, bronchitis and migraine disorders were denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis were found to have started during active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis aggravated his claimed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address this issue.

The Veteran's right hand disability and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder are granted service connection, while sinusitis, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, and scarring status post inguinal hernia surgery do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches, reactive airway disease, right foot hallux rigidus, right foot arthritis, bilateral hand degenerative arthritis, and bilateral shoulder tendonitis and arthritis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for fatty liver and remanded other issues due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and an upper respiratory condition other than sinusitis or pharyngitis is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need to consider potential TERA exposures.

The Veteran's sinusitis is characterized by one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, and the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as presumptively due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The issues regarding obstructive sleep apnea and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected sinus disability, chronic maxillary sinusitis, is granted with a 10% rating for the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, considering whether his service-connected pansinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis or obesity as an intermediate step caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis, tinnitus, voiding dysfunction, right foot hammertoes, and left foot hammertoes due to additional VA treatment records being added to the case file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, hypertension, and 'feet fungi' have been granted due to new and material evidence. The claim for chronic sinusitis is associated with environmental toxin exposure under the PACT Act. The rating assigned and effective date are pending further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, deviated septum, diverticulosis, and respiratory/breathing disability. The claims are being returned for further development.