Sinusitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current conditions that met the criteria for service connection, except for migraine headaches and erectile dysfunction (ED) with Peyronie's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is currently manifested by complaints of headaches and pressure, but no incapacitating or non-incapacitating episodes. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities he claims are the result of VA medical treatment, and he disputes that his disabilities were due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA providers.

The Veteran's sinusitis is not shown to have manifested during service or be etiologically related to a service-connected disability.,There is no evidence of hypertension that manifested in service, within one year thereafter, or is causally related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinus disability and bronchitis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions related to his military service.

The Veteran's sinusitis was shown in-service and has continued since service. The Board grants service connection for chronic sinusitis.,Bilateral eye optic nerve cupping is a congenital defect that remains stable, not subjected to superimposed disease or injury during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and is remanding the asthma claim to allow for further development.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been granted a 30% disability rating, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis. The claim of increased rating for sinusitis is also granted, with a 10% disability rating assigned. Regarding the CUE in the September 1982 rating decision regarding hypertension, the appeal is denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, sinusitis, and related conditions have been granted. The skin condition is already service-connected, and the kidney disorder claim has been dismissed as not a justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis has been rated at 10 percent since May 1964, and the evidence does not show that he is entitled to a higher rating.,For his hepatomegaly, the Veteran was previously assigned a non-compensable (0%) rating from April 1968. The current claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and GERD have been granted increased evaluations. The sinusitis issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and finds that his right ear disorder is as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis. As such, the claim for service connection for a right ear disorder is granted.

The Board has ordered the VA to adjudicate claims for service connection for a neck disability and sinusitis, as these are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's TDIU claim. The case is also remanded for further development of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left patellar femoral syndrome with thigh atrophy was denied as the condition did not meet criteria for an increased rating.,Service connection for generalized nerve pain (claimed as fibromyalgia) and chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as fibromyalgia) were both denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War exposure. The Veteran's fibromyalgia was found to be a manifestation of her diagnosed condition.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, numbness and tingling (claimed as fibromyalgia), joint pain and stiffness (claimed as fibromyalgia), inability to hold heavy objects (claimed as fibromyalgia), nausea, sore muscles (claimed as fibromyalgia), abdominal pain, sinusitis, and dizziness were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War exposure. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be manifestations of her diagnosed condition.,The Veteran was granted service connection for anxiety (previously characterized as a personality disorder) effective July 22, 2004.