Sinusitis Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, and a back disability are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had preexisting conditions but did not worsen during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for COPD, Sinusitis, and Chronic Bronchitis due to inadequate medical opinion in the May 2020 VA examination. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various conditions, including right elbow strain, right wrist strain, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, right hip pain, and sinusitis. The claims were also dismissed for left elbow lateral epicondylitis, a rating greater than 20 percent for a right shoulder disability, an effective date earlier than September 1, 2018, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for a right shoulder disability, and an initial compensable rating for surgical scars, right shoulder. The Board also dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Veteran's chronic rhinitis with sinusitis is granted as a result of Gulf War exposure, as it was diagnosed within 10 years of his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were granted, while her claim for a respiratory disorder other than allergic rhinitis (including asthma and sinusitis) was denied due to lack of evidence within the required presumptive period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining supplemental VA opinions on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a respiratory disorder including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or incomplete examinations. The Veteran is entitled to further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis due to exposure during the Persian Gulf War, but denied claims for tinnitus, ear infections, and otitis media.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been rated at 10 percent since March 4, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as there is no evidence of incapacitating or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions regarding service connection for sinusitis and an initial compensable rating for chronic anterior uveitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders have been reopened, but the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for RLE peripheral neuropathy is pending and will be remanded as well.

The Board has granted service connection for mild mitral regurgitation and denied service connection for sinusitis. Service connection was established based on the link between the Veteran's in-service heart murmur and her current diagnosis of mild mitral regurgitation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is also asked to provide any outstanding private treatment records from her ENT specialist and neurologist.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches as secondary to service-connected chronic sinusitis. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder is granted, and he is awarded a 30 percent rating for sinusitis. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's treatment at Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center on May 2, 2011 was for a migraine headache and sinusitis. The Board found that the treatment met the criteria for emergency medical care due to unusual symptoms and lack of availability of VA facilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.