Sinusitis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinea pedis is characterized by symptoms of crusting on less than one percent of the whole body; dermatitis that covers at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body or exposed areas, or intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period has not been shown.,A heart disorder, sinusitis, back disorder, migraines and GERD were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by his service-connected nasal fracture, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder, finding that new evidence supports these claims.,Service connection is now established for the Veteran's current chronic lumbosacral strain with leg pain.

The Board has denied all service connection claims except for the reopening of a previously denied claim for allergic rhinitis, which was reopened based on new and material evidence. The Veteran's other conditions are not currently shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted with a noncompensable rating prior to April 3, 2013, and a compensable (10%) rating from that date. Service connection for allergic conjunctivitis is granted throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis with sinus headaches and Môniére's syndrome with vertigo are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding his claims for service connection for COPD as a result of asbestos exposure, asthma, and sinusitis. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis did not have its onset during active service and was not caused by any disease or injury during active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% evaluation for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis effective November 10, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches have been rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the grant of service connection. The issue of service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2004 denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Board also found no evidence to support service connection for allergic rhinitis on either direct or secondary basis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis, specifically whether it is directly related to service or caused by his postoperative sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that sleep apnea is etiologically related to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his foot and ankle conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to clarify the nature of his current foot symptoms and whether they are related to service-connected sesamoiditis/metatarsalgia or any other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for sinusitis and right hip DJD are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his active duty status, and he will be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board after his discharge from active duty.

The Veteran seeks service connection for respiratory disorders, including as due to asbestos exposure. The case is remanded for further development and examination.