Sinusitis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting three to four non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's right leg or knee disability, specifically chondromalacia, and sinusitis were both found to be incurred during his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sinusitis was denied, and his initial rating of 30 percent for tonsillitis and residuals of a tonsillectomy has been maintained.

The Veteran's sinus disability, characterized by near constant sinusitis with headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent nasal discharge, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The appeal for an increased evaluation has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has determined that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's sinusitis is related to her military service and has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and sinusitis are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's in-service diagnosis and ongoing treatment since discharge are sufficient to establish a link between her current condition and active duty.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but she is not found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. His thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since September 6, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence related to his claims. The issues include whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for sinusitis, as well as entitlements for allergic rhinitis and leaky gut syndrome.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and sinusitis were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis have been granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The Board has also found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, granting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a pulmonary disability (including obstructive sleep apnea) and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus or hypertension attributable to military service.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected sinusitis is warranted from January 24, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia, and chronic sinusitis were incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of increased rating for sleep apnea and service connection for sinusitis. The right knee disability, GERD, PTSD, left hip disability, fatigue, and orthopedic foot disorder claims were denied.