Sinusitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess his sinusitis and sleep disorder claims, as well as review of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic sinus disability, but she did experience episodic sinusitis during her active duty. The Board also found that she has a current diagnosis of costochondritis which is related to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and had been present since then. The skin disease, sinusitis with headaches, meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh, left inguinal hernia, hemorrhoids, right wrist disability, and impotence are all granted.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left foot/ankle, low back, gouty arthritis, and chronic sinusitis. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, sinusitis, stomach disorder (GERD), and fibromyalgia are all found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders are also found to be service-connected as secondary to the fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral shin splints. The claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral foot disability (jungle rot and/or cold injury residuals), and chronic recurrent sinusitis are denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's sinusitis, characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinuses, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries, is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6513.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, including for tinnitus, back disability, pes planus, jaw disability (claimed as TMJ/prognathism), PTSD, right leg disability, sinusitis, and mitral valve prolapse. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for a sinus disorder, and the need for additional development including another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for PTSD and xerosis of the skin. The other issues remain pending.

The most probative evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding service connection for ADHD and learning disability, as well as the evaluation of her left index finger.,For the cervical spine disability, a rating higher than 20 percent is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as any associated service treatment records. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the current status of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, and lower intestinal disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance is being remanded due to concerns about his service-connected conditions, including bronchiectasis with bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis. Additional examination is needed to determine if he requires a higher level of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not now have, and indeed has not had, sinusitis. His claim for an initial rating higher than 60 percent for atopic dermatitis with chronic urticaria remains part of this matter but was granted with a maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including those involving undiagnosed illnesses, are not shown to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected Bell's Palsy, and sinusitis is at least in equipoise with a possible relationship to Bell's Palsy.,PTSD was denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD. Headaches were denied as they are considered secondary to Bell's Palsy. Sinusitis was granted as it is at least in equipoise with a possible relationship to Bell's Palsy.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were permanently aggravated beyond their natural progression as a result of his service in Iraq. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for migraine headaches.