Sinusitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's sinusitis and associated vasomotor rhinitis have been granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective July 15, 2015. The claim is now pending for any further increase in rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 6, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Board has found that service connection for recurrent nasal fracture residuals is not warranted as there is no evidence of such a condition during active service or at any time thereafter. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent sinus disorder to include sinusitis remains pending and will be further developed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his mental health disability (PTSD), are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed respiratory disabilities, including pansinusitis, pulmonary disease due to mycobacterium, and right upper lobe posterior segment cavitary lesion of the lung (bronchiectasis).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right elbow disorder have been reopened. The claim of service connection for a left knee disorder is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches. The Veteran's current migraine headaches had their onset in service, and are therefore service connected. Service connection is also granted for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's sinusitis to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis, which he attributes to in-service asbestos exposure and/or herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found the Veteran's current respiratory disorders less likely related to service due to lack of asbestos exposure. However, additional medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of his diagnosed respiratory disorders.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis and denied for sinusitis and chlamydia.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an immune system deficiency, but rather has chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not establish these conditions had their onset in service or were otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and maxillary/frontal sinusitis have not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's allergic sinusitis is characterized by more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The Board has assigned a 30 percent disability rating for the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to their impact on his ability to walk and use assistive devices.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for sinusitis and pansinusitis, the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6510. A separate 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis was granted effective December 8, 2015.