Sinusitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed respiratory disorder other than recurrent episodes of bronchitis and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's nasal/sinus symptoms are not related to service and the Board finds that he does not have a qualifying chronic disability manifested by these symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were granted effective January 20, 2009. Her bipolar disorder was service-connected on July 23, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected nasal cavity injury and its residuals, including any additional conditions he may have developed. The VA will schedule him for a new examination to determine the current extent of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's current sinusitis can be reasonably disassociated from his active military service, but the Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for sinusitis. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow disability, ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and rhinitis and sinusitis were all granted. The right elbow disability was assigned a 50 percent rating from April 24, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected chronic sinusitis, hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis by history, and joint deformity, left foot fifth toe.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of previously requested examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his sinus disorder/sinusitis is related to service or exposure to aviation fuel.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine the etiology of any current back disorder.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 2, 2008 for a 30 percent rating for postoperative residuals of sinusitis and denied the claim for earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The dental claim is also being remanded to afford the Veteran a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for sinusitis was denied as the current assigned rating of 50 percent adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back muscle strain, reopening his previously denied claim. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of in-service noise exposure. Service connection for sinusitis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory and foot disorders are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, personnel records from the Alabama Army National Guard (Guard), and VA clinical documentation. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if any identified conditions originated during active service.

The Veteran's combined rating is 80 percent, and the VA specialist determined that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's nasal disability has been manifested by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, sinus pressure, headaches, sneezing, post-nasal drainage, some difficulty breathing, and a 60 percent right nasal obstruction. For the entire rating period on appeal, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under DC 6513.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for chronic prostatitis with urethral stricture prior to the Board issuing a decision.