Sinusitis decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The VA has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted an increased disability evaluation of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative changes, effective from May 11, 2012. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy were each assigned a 10 percent initial disability evaluation, while chronic sinusitis with right nasal obstruction was increased to 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that he has a current psychiatric condition related to his active service. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Veteran also has hypertension and other conditions which are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. The effective date of service connection for chronic sinusitis remains March 3, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is the primary cause of his shortness of breath, which was not due to a cardiac disability. The left wrist and hand conditions are not service connected.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected residuals of a rhinoplasty and the issue regarding CUE in an April 7, 1971 rating decision are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current chronic upper respiratory disorder, such as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The case will be reviewed by the RO after completion of this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension or chronic sinusitis that is attributable to her active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic sinus disorder, including sinusitis, is not related to his period of active military service, including exposure to toxic fumes from oil fires and/or 'burn pits'. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. For sinusitis, the Board agreed with the VA examiner's opinion that the disability is less likely related to service and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address the complex medical questions raised by the Veteran's claims, including his service connection for upper respiratory disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sinusitis and tension headaches, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be related to his military service, while his tension headaches are not considered incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed headache disability, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for GERD. The effective date of a higher rating for CVID manifested by colitis, diarrhea, history of duodenal ulcer, and chronic sinusitis cannot be earlier than January 23, 2004.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for pharyngitis, eczema of the lower extremities, duodenal ulcer, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and sinusitis. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination and opinion regarding whether his current sinus condition is related to his service, as well as adjudication of his claim of CUE in the December 2004 Administrative Decision.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU on June 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, to include Achilles tendonitis, has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to increased ratings for chronic sinusitis and hemorrhoids, as well as TDIU, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.