Sinusitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 24, 2005. The Board found that his chronic rhinitis and sclerotic left mastoid tip are not service-connected as they were not present in service or until many years thereafter and are not related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that the disability picture nearly resembles marked limitation of motion, warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for right ankle disorder, hemorrhoids, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and migraines are remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis, and he is granted a maximum 50 percent rating for his chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran's coccydynia is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5298 due to painful residuals of removal of the coccyx. His GERD claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis. The issues of service connection for Eustachian tube dysfunction and a dental disorder are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of sleep apnea and the current severity of left maxillary sinusitis with postoperative retention cyst resection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung condition, but remands the case for further development and consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis was caused or aggravated by his service, including exposure to environmental hazards in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected non-allergic rhinitis (formerly diagnosed as chronic sinusitis) is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence and clarification of her diagnosis.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal cell carcinoma, but the appellant contends that his service-connected disabilities contributed to his use of analgesic medications which may have led to his cancer. The Board finds a need for an expert medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal concerning sinusitis, asthma, and Barrett's esophagus with hiatal hernia and GERD is dismissed. The claim of service connection for COPD is reopened and granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sinusitis, finding that no new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU and eligibility for DEA benefits, both effective March 18, 2007.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for chronic sinusitis, which is found to be etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to travel for a personal hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. The case will be returned to the Board only if additional development or other appropriate action is taken.

The Board finds that the reductions in disability ratings for cognitive disorder, not otherwise specified, and maxillary sinusitis were not proper due to an error in the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for sinusitis has been withdrawn. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for allergic rhinitis is moot as the motion to reverse the April 1982 Board decision on CUE has granted all requested benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for an ENT condition, sinusitis, and esophagus condition. The January 2014 VA medical opinion found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty.,There is conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran sustained a nasal fracture during service. However, there are no records indicating any treatment for such an injury or resulting ENT condition.