Sinusitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period.,For the period prior to July 22, 2015, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated as noncompensable. Since then, she has been assigned a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinosinusitis and vascular headaches, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was also denied as it did not have onset in service or was caused by his active military service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for eustachian tube dysfunction, bilateral lung disease, granulomatous lung disease, and residuals of a staph infection.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's nasal allergy with sinusitis rating from 50% to 10% was proper based on more recent VA examinations which provided a clearer picture of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left maxillary sinusitis with Caldwell-Luc procedure is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining evidence of exposure to toxic chemicals while stationed at Fort McClellan in 1972 and determining whether service connection can be established based on direct service connection or a relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disorders and her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from private providers and ensuring that all attempts to obtain these records have been made.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and Sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The other claims of service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot condition and GERD, but the claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis with deviated septum is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for rescheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for sinusitis, secondary to asbestos exposure are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of IBS and service connection for cholecystectomy, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal spasm, muscle tension headaches, and memory loss have been granted. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right axilla phlebitis are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but denied a compensable rating, leaving the Veteran with an initial non-compensable rating.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis has been manifested by three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The disability picture is not exceptional and the assigned schedular rating is adequate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and attempting to obtain outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed right thumb, right wrist, and/or sinus disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for sinusitis and a separate, compensable rating for onychomycosis. As such, these matters are dismissed.