Sinusitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected residuals of a facial injury with a broken nose was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6502.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine and sinus disabilities, as well as additional development of the record.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition likely began during military service. Service connection was also granted for a cervical spine disorder, with the onset occurring post-service due to a work-related injury.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has less than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis/rhinitis and a low back disability due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's sinusitis, bronchitis, and tinea pedis skin disorders are all found to be service-connected. The bilateral foot hallux valgus and pes planus conditions were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis with dyspnea have been rated at 30 percent since July 23, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain with arthropathy, necessitate the need for an automobile to accommodate his mobility limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and other undiagnosed illness-related symptoms, have been denied. The evidence does not support findings of an in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected major depressive disorder with chronic anxiety features. The claims for sinusitis, unexplained weight gain and body inflammation, exhaustion, excessive sweating, skin disability, right foot and ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's sinus disorder, diagnosed as chronic rhinosinusitis, is found to be related to his military service and granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting sinusitis did not undergo an increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and degenerative joint disease of the low back.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's headaches, deviated nasal septum, and sinusitis are all found to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sinus disability and therefore, service connection for residuals of bilateral antrostomies is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic sinusitis and thus, service connection for this condition is denied. The Veteran's postoperative nasal and maxillary polyps disability was evaluated but no compensable rating was assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left cheekbone fracture, deviated nasal septum, and chronic sinusitis were denied as there is no evidence to support the current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis, has been remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea has been granted as secondary to medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities.,The claim for reopening a respiratory disorder (originally claimed as allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory infections and sinusitis) has been granted due to the submission of new evidence.