Sinusitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed respiratory disability, including allergies, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The claims will be reviewed in light of new evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective April 26, 2009, due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for maxillary/frontal sinusitis, service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic attacks, bipolar disorder and depression), and migraine headaches. The current evaluation of 10 percent is deemed sufficient based on the symptoms reported.

The Veteran's initial ratings for IBS, Allergic Rhinosinusitis, Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety Disorder prior to December 9, 2010, and Hypertension have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU. Service connection has not been established for the respiratory condition, right knee disability, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current conditions and military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 10 percent since August 14, 2012. The claim for higher evaluation is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including service connection claims for various health problems. The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing to address these matters.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis are found to have originated during his active service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed to address the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 and determine the etiology of his respiratory symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sinusitis or allergic rhinitis that may be related to his active service. However, he was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder with depression).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis since April 11, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to issues with the January 2015 VA examination, and these claims are inextricably intertwined with the deviated nasal septum and chronic sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sinusitis disability and finds that his statements regarding this condition are less credible. The evidence of record is against a finding that he had such a disability during service or since then.,Evidence received since the September 1997 RO decision, which denied service connection for a back injury, raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability. Therefore, the claim is reopened.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and medical records are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's spine, respiratory, and sleep apnea disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders, lung issues, head trauma, sleep apnea, headaches, and several other conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal regarding initial compensable disability ratings for ejaculatory anhedonia/secondary anorgasmia and scar, right little finger. The remaining claims are pending.

The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred during active duty service and granted service connection.