Sinusitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and considering the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Lumbosacral Strain, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, and Bilateral Pes Planus. Additionally, the Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for Sleep Apnea secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic allergies, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Board also noted that hypertension was not shown to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder. However, it denied her claims for service connection for bulimia/anorexia, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, fibrocystic breast disease, right lower leg nerve damage, sinusitis, and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum with partial obstruction was aggravated by service, and thus service connection is granted for this condition. The claims for sleep apnea and sinusitis as secondary to a deviated septum are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increased rating for any of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected and non-service connected disabilities, including those related to a November 1981 motor vehicle accident. The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 50 percent since February 28, 2013. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's otitis media, tympanic membrane abnormality (claimed as a rupture), right Eustachian tube dysfunction, deviated nasal septum with left septal spur, and mucous retention cyst of the left maxillary sinus and sinusitis preexisted his service and were not aggravated by it. Therefore, these conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right sphenoid sinus polyp with secondary sinusitis and bilateral concha bullosa is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and femoral radicular disability, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee burn scar, but denied service connection for a sore throat and a respiratory disorder other than sinusitis.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a back injury, a skin rash, and sinusitis. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, manifested during his military service and is etiologically related to his service. The sinus disability, including allergic rhinitis with superimposed acute sinusitis, also manifested during his military service and is causally related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, headaches, bilateral epiphora due to allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, tinnitus, a tonsil disorder, and hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 22, 2010 for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L2-L3. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, but his low back disability has manifested with pain and limitation of motion throughout the period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tendonitis of the right elbow, postoperative nasal residuals (septoplasty), and sinusitis. The conditions are currently rated as noncompensable.