Sinusitis & rhinitis — all decisions

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asthma and sinusitis to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service, including in-service exposure to jet fuel.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for acute sinusitis and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis due to an impermissible concurrent election. The claim for service connection for migraines was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for other specified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder, while denying increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right lower radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, chronic rhinitis, tension headaches, and mitral valve prolapse.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including PTSD, IBS, cardiac arrhythmia, CFS, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, dyspnea, and fibromyalgia. The claim for bilateral pes planus was remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressed and anxious mood with chronic sleep impairment was granted a 70 percent rating, while service connection for sinusitis with seasonal allergies was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board restored the 50% rating for headaches and the 30% rating for a cervical spine disability, as the reductions were improper. The claims for service connection for OSA, a higher rating for allergic rhinitis, and a sinus disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic headaches was granted, while claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, a higher rating for contusion of the left great toe, and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis were denied.

The Board remands the claims for a compensable evaluation of service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis, migraines headaches, left foot bunions (hallux valgus), right foot bunions (hallux valgus), and tinnitus to ensure proper development.

The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis as secondary to chronic sinusitis was dismissed due to concurrent appeals being prohibited under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, allergic rhinitis, and increased ratings for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for lumbar spine, right knee, left ankle, and headache conditions were remanded.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for sinusitis was dismissed as the decision being appealed was a purely ministerial implementation of a prior Board decision and not an initial decision by the AOJ.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and an earlier effective date of May 14, 2018, for radiculopathy right lower extremity. Other claims were denied.

The appeal was remanded for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include alcohol use disorder, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and PTSD was granted. Other claims for various conditions were denied.

The Board denied service connection for left hand tremors, right hand tremors, and sinusitis, as well as a compensable disability rating for viral gastroenteritis. The claims for acid reflux (GERD) and tinea versicolor were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, and CFS. The Veteran's hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy, shoulder disability, knee meniscal tear, knee limitation of extension, knee scars, GERD, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and PTSD were also not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis as there was no evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and an effective date prior to April 19, 2024, for chronic sinusitis.