Sinusitis decisions — 2016

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis. The remaining issue of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder including gastroenteritis and GERD is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's sinusitis/rhinitis, bilateral hip osteopenia with secondary arthralgias, and fibromyalgia/rheumatoid arthritis are not service-connected. However, the Veteran's bilateral hip osteopenia is found to be related to her service-connected residuals of total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (to include major depressive disorder), and skin cancer have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. The TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic bronchitis was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were within the range of 56 to 70 percent predicted, warranting a 30% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a pulmonary examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any lung disability found. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion on the etiology of his sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not proximately due to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an examination by an ENT specialist to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's sinusitis diagnosis.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for sinusitis, and thus the claim is denied.

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, right and left knee arthralgia, right and left wrist pain, sinusitis, and residuals of fracture, right leg based on findings that no current disability was shown.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, but not greater. The Veteran's right knee disability has not been manifested by limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or extension to 15 degree, even considering complaints of pain, nor has there been objective evidence of instability or dislocated semilunar cartilage.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease. The issue of service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 2, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability since that date.

The Veteran's hypersensitivity to light and sound, as well as blurry vision, are considered part of his already service-connected TBI. Service connection for sinusitis is granted due to continuity of symptoms and medical opinion linking the condition to in-service head trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied multiple times, and no new or material evidence has been received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right maxillary sinusitis is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective April 2, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of an increased evaluation to reflect his near-constant symptoms and incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various sinus and respiratory conditions, including a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the nature of his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's gout was granted service connection, and he received a non-compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were also granted service connection with a non-compensable rating. His left inguinal hernia, impotence, tendonitis of the right wrist, sinusitis with headaches, skin disease, and meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh are all rated as non-compensable. The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection effective September 20, 2007, and he received a 30 percent rating for it.