Sinusitis decisions — 2013

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is presumed to be due to asbestos exposure during service, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD) may also be related to service. Service connection for substance abuse was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected ethmoid sinusitis and laryngitis have been rated appropriately at the current levels, with no need for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left foot disability, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The Veteran's claims for sinusitis and hemorrhoids are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis with rhinitis has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development, including an examination to determine the extent and etiology of any loss of sense of smell or taste. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and maxillary sinusitis and vasomotor rhinitis, as well as his claim for TDIU, were denied by the RO in September 2009. The Board remanded these issues to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis with history of nasal polyps pre-existed service and was not aggravated during service, thus granting service connection for this condition.,However, there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's autoimmune hepatitis had its onset in service or was otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia disability is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition during service and the current condition did not manifest until after discharge. The other issues were either not addressed or are not supported by sufficient evidence.

The Veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but not for a home adaptation grant as he is already eligible for the former.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis did not begin in service or as a result of service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need to obtain additional records, particularly related to any work injury claim. The Veteran will undergo VA examinations to determine if his current sinusitis, chronic pharyngitis, sciatic nerve disability, or low back disability are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection are pending.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for the Veteran's sinusitis, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been assigned appropriate initial evaluations, with the exception of a higher evaluation for his left ankle sprain after April 11, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including sinusitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current chronic sinusitis to his active duty service, and concluded that it is less likely than not related to any in-service event.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-patient records from the Perrin Air Force Base hospital and providing a new VA opinion regarding the left knee disability. The claims for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, sinusitis, skin disability, and hemorrhoids are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and chronic prostatitis. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis with associated headaches, pseudogout of the left foot, and eczema. The decision found that there was no current hearing loss disability or skin condition (eczema) due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.