Sinus barotrauma

Sinus barotrauma Factor

Sinus barotrauma is also called aerosinusitis or barosinusitis. The RMA has defined this condition as "fluid accumulation and inflammation of the mucosa of one or more paranasal sinuses due to an inability to equilibrate the difference in pressure between the surrounding atmosphere and the air within the sinus cavity, causing clinical symptoms of sinus pain, sinus haemorrhage or X-ray changes to the sinus cavity, attracting ICD code 993.1

Deep sea diving and aeroplane travel are the most common causes of sinus barotrauma. If a veteran or member had sinus barotrauma he or she would have needed significant medical attention at that time.  Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, these records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained.  Therefore, if there is a reliable history of appropriate medical treatment at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to sinus barotrauma rather than to some other condition.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 July 2003.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [13425]

13426 there is some evidence that sinus barotrauma may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

13348 the veteran has suffered from sinus barotrauma at some time.

13674  the veteran has established the causal connection between sinus barotrauma and VEA service for chronic sinusitis.

13427 the veteran suffered from sinus barotrauma immediately before the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

13675   the veteran has established the causal connection between sinus barotrauma and VEA service for the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

13677  the veteran has established the causal connection between sinus barotrauma and operational service for the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

or

13678  the veteran has established the causal connection between sinus barotrauma and eligible service for the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

13428 the veteran suffered from sinus barotrauma immediately before the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

13676   the veteran has established the causal connection between sinus barotrauma and VEA service for the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

13679  the veteran has established the causal connection between sinus barotrauma and operational service for the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

or

13680  the veteran has established the causal connection between sinus barotrauma and eligible service for the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [13677]

13353  the sinus barotrauma is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [13678]

13354  the sinus barotrauma is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [13679]

13353  the sinus barotrauma is causally related to operational service.

13429 the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the sinus barotrauma is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [13680]

13354  the sinus barotrauma is causally related to eligible service.

13430 the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the sinus barotrauma is causally related.