Sinusitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. Her cold sores are found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for April 27, 2013 treatment at Florida Hospital Flagler are denied as the services were not rendered in an emergency that would have been hazardous to his health.

The Veteran's GERD was found to have begun during his military service and has continued since. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in finding that the presumption of soundness did not apply to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, to include allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The VA is required to provide a new VA examination to determine if any current respiratory conditions preexisted service or were aggravated during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold minimum rating requirements and that he cannot be considered unemployable solely based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing on the issues of service connection for PTSD and nasal sinusitis. The other claims will proceed as per the current status.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, effective from January 12, 2001. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2008 and has been increased to 30 percent since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU effective June 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sinusitis is related to his in-service treatment and continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a statement of the case on the issue of character of discharge and any Social Security Administration records. The claims for service connection will also be considered.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected nasal condition. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral pes planus, PTSD, and coronary artery disease have been granted. An effective date of November 24, 2008 has also been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, sinusitis, and a bilateral foot condition were previously denied. The current evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factor.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unemployable due to substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis and deviated nasal septum are etiologically related to his active military service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for rhinitis/sinusitis and initial rating for tongue injury residuals are on appeal.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's asthma is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for asthma.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of venereal warts or sinusitis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address whether VA's duty to assist was satisfied in light of private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence and argument on this matter.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis with sinus headaches has shown material improvement since a 30% rating was granted in 2001, and thus reduction from a 30% to a noncompensable (0%) rating for sinusitis with sinus headaches was proper.