Sinusitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding her sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and vocal cord disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and post-service medical records, as well as to schedule examinations for his current disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow this to happen.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis or any other sinus disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed hip, pes planus, low back strain, neck disorder, or eye disorders. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sinus disorder, but the Board has ordered remand due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and service. The VA examiner did not address the Veteran's contention of exposure to JP-4 aviation fuel during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee subluxation, and sacroiliac dysfunction are denied as they do not meet the criteria for the assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal pharyngitis with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has resulted in episodes of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment, but not radical surgery or repeated surgeries. His COPD and asthma are aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for his nasal condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there are no compensable ratings for any of the claimed conditions and service connection was not established for any of them.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the lack of incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes as defined in the VA rating criteria. The Veteran was denied an increased rating for his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic rhinosinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show exceptional or unusual impairment warranting extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal involves issues related to the reduction of his hypertension rating, a debt resulting from marital status changes, and claims for various conditions. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by his service-connected chronic sinusitis, and thus granted secondary service connection. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is granted, as it was incurred during active duty service. The claims for increased rating for lumbar spondylosis and service connection for chronic pain syndrome are dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current chronic sinusitis is related to active service, and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant. The decision grants service connection for sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sinus disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypothyroidism were granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, and asthma have not been reopened.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the functional impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the current schedular rating is adequate to compensate for his disability. The issue of an extra-schedular rating for sinusitis/rhinitis with allergies will be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic ear disorder or chronic sinus disorder related to service, including any exposure to toxins like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional development.