Sinusitis decisions — 2016

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and assigned a noncompensable (0%) initial rating, effective July 2006. The Veteran had either three non-incapacitating episodes or two episodes requiring antibiotic therapy over the past year.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis. The examiner should also assess whether sinusitis and/or headaches are part of or secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent effective June 8, 2012. The increased rating for sinusitis remains pending as the RO granted a 10 percent evaluation but did not address higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for internal hemorrhoids, keratoconus of both eyes, and sinusitis. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is pending as the evidence does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a breathing problem, chronic sinusitis, or sleep apnea due to his active duty service and these conditions are not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's maxillary sinusitis warrants a 10 percent rating as of December 8, 2008. Prior to this date, there were not sufficient incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes to warrant any higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the service connection of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and enlarged tonsils are also referred back to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and back disorders, have rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of any such condition during his active duty and a gap in treatment for nearly 15 years after separation. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his period of active service or to his service-connected facial injury with residual tripod fracture of the left maxilla and zygoma depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a video teleconference hearing. Service connection claims are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, left knee disability, and bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current upper respiratory disorder, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis, is not causally or etiologically due to service.

The Board finds the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a deviated septum with recurrent sinusitis, as it was caused by an in-service occurrence. The lower back condition and PTSD claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of tonsillitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for infectious hepatitis (to include hepatitis C), stomach disability, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) / intestinal condition, chronic otitis, and skin condition were all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,The Board found that the medical records did not support a higher rating for tonsillitis and that there was no indication of any other conditions warranting a different evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a claim for an earlier effective date for his rhinitis rating.