Sinusitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches and bilateral hearing loss are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings, as they do not meet the criteria for increased disability under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and he has been granted a 30% initial rating for sinusitis since June 30, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for reentrance into an independent living services program, including the purchase of a massage chair, desktop computer, desk, and recumbent exercise bicycle was denied as his conditions did not warrant such benefits.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for service connection for a left varicocele. The Board found that he had bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action, including a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disability (including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim due to incomplete medical records and a need for an additional VA examination. The appellant's sinusitis condition will be evaluated based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to complete an examination for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as requested in a previous March 2015 decision. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions did not manifest during a period of active military service and are not otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, but the Veteran's claim remains pending as he has provided new and material evidence to reopen his previous claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain has been granted.,Service connection for eczema has also been established.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis has been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is part and parcel of the right knee disability claim, which remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no objective evidence of sinusitis, epididymitis, onychomycosis, left knee disability or left shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not presumed due to his military service.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for upper back disability is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for lumbar disk syndrome with lumbar spondylosis and cervical spondylosis/sprain. The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and associated headaches are found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a right ankle disability, allergic rhinitis, arthritis of the left leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The TDIU claim was also not addressed.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis with retention cyst have been granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from May 2007.

The Veteran's sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to be service-connected.,Right hip disability is also service-connected as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an issue with scheduling a video conference hearing. The Veteran was originally scheduled for a hearing in Waco, Texas but requested it be held at a VA facility in El Paso, Texas.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's service dates and obtain relevant medical records, particularly those from Maxwell Air Force Base Hospital. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran was still gainfully employed prior to June 1, 2009 and thus is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for that period.