Sinusitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's COPD, previously characterized as bronchitis, is rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2012 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2012 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and thus cannot be granted service connection. The claim for chronic sinusitis is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fungal infections of the feet, including onychomycosis and tinea pedis, as well as his chronic sinusitis and hypertension are related to his military service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a pulmonary disorder are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have chronic sinusitis and her symptoms are due to her already service-connected rhinitis.,The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated as noncompensable (zero percent disabling) based on characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over the last several months.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shin splints and chronic sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service. The hypertension claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis/rhinitis and tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also dismissed the appeal on the issue of sinusitis/rhinitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, eye disability (undiagnosed illness), sleep apnea (undiagnosed illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (undiagnosed illness), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal was also denied regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to February 4, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been manifested by symptoms such as sinus congestion, pain, headaches and tenderness. However, she does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to insufficient evidence of incapacitating episodes or frequent non-incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for several actions, including obtaining VA treatment records and referring the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and examining the Veteran's cardiac disability, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the highest schedular rating available is 10 percent, and thus no higher rating could be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case to the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for additional development, including a medical examination and consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities present an exceptional or unusual disability picture that would prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) on a secondary basis to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic sinusitis or GERD in service or within one year of separation from service, nor did it support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, asthma, hemorrhoids, Morton's neuroma, sinusitis, hypertension, right and left shoulder disabilities, a right knee disability, otitis media, rhinitis, costochondritis, GERD, headaches, and left testicle epididymitis. The Veteran does not have hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been granted for service connection of various conditions, including sleep apnea, Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis, urethritis and prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis with dry eyes, joint and muscle pain, allergic rhinitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastrointestinal disorder. Effective dates have also been assigned for these conditions.