Sinusitis decisions — 2013

The Veteran's sinusitis allergic rhinitis is rated at 30% since the entire appeal period. The Veteran's benign prostatic hyperplasia was granted a 20% rating from January 16, 2008 to June 18, 2008 and a 40% rating since then.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and deviated septum, are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence indicates no chronic respiratory disorder during service and no nexus between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his own willful misconduct, and at the time of his death he was in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability that did not meet the legal requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a nasal fracture and chronic frontal sinusitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to address the medical matters presented by his claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is at least as likely as not that his sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis or rhinitis.

The Veteran's sinusitis did not manifest during service and is not related to any in-service event. It was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,Hypertension was not manifested during service, nor within one year of separation from service. The Veteran does not have current hypertension.,There is no evidence of myocardial infarction during service and the Veteran does not currently have a heart disability to include myocardial infarction.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease did not manifest during service and is not related to any in-service event. It was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosed gastric ulcer.,The Veteran does not have a current liver disability.,Service connection for kidney disorder (calculi of the kidney) cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and it is not related to any in-service event. The claim has been reopened but remains denied.,There is no evidence of bronchial asthma or allergies during service, nor are they currently diagnosed. The claims have been reopened but remain denied.,Service connection for allergies and asthma cannot be established as there is no evidence of a medical nexus between the conditions and a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, as he had been receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for over ten years prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to an apparent deficiency in a previous VA examination and the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a sternum fracture, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's allergic rhinitis is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's neuroma between the third and fourth toes of the right foot and sinusitis are service-connected, with doubt resolved in favor of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. The Veteran's other psychiatric conditions are also being considered, but a remand is required to obtain VA treatment records and provide an adequate examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had chronic symptoms of these conditions during active duty, which are now shown to be related to his military service. For asthma, a VA examination is needed to determine if it was present in service or due to his other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been rated at 10 percent since July 26, 2006. The most recent VA examination did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disorder (status post-cholecystectomy with dumping syndrome, gastroparesis and GERD) is currently rated at 10 percent. The other conditions have not been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and sinusitis do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as they do not cause permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, ankylosis, or permanent visual impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus, cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CVID (hypogammaglobulinemia) and bronchiectasis with vasomotor rhinitis and maxillary sinusitis prior to December 29, 2008 were denied.