Sinusitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's sinusitis was also found to be related to service, but a new VA examination is needed as he testified that his symptoms have increased since his last VA examination in 2014. For tinea pedis (claimed as bilateral foot condition), the Veteran's testimony and in-service records indicate it may be related to service, but another VA examination is required for this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral flatfoot, hallux valgus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and paranasal sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been rated as 30 percent disabling since August 17, 2016. The Veteran has more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and headaches are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and development of the claims.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 27, 2014, forward. The TDIU was not granted for the period from July 2, 2010 to February 27, 2014 as the threshold percentage requirements were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected right maxillary sinusitis and bronchitis did not result in his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected status post surgical removal of the uterus and both ovaries, sinusitis, and current residuals of an in-service fracture of the right wrist. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions have worsened during the appeal period.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective November 2, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not begin during service and is not related to any other in-service condition, including his service-connected chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The opinion provided by the VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his service or any other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected, as it is neither causally nor etiologically related to her active service or secondary to her service-connected sinusitis.,The Veteran's right knee instability has been rated at 10 percent since August 2010. The examiner noted that the Veteran had a history of smoking and was currently in need of aid and attendance, which is not considered for rating purposes under Diagnostic Code 5261.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU beginning December 1, 2016, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, angiomyolipoma, left kidney renal calculus, radial sensory neuritis, and right antecubital fossa have been denied as not related to service. The claims for COPD, seborrheic keratosis, and asthma are also denied due to lack of diagnosis during the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but he is now receiving a noncompensable disability rating.,His claim for an increased rating for sinusitis prior to October 1, 2013 and a higher rating thereafter has been denied.

The Veteran's sinus and respiratory conditions, including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, nasal polyps, and exercise-induced asthma, are found to be related to her service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, low back disability, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal disorder as secondary to her service-connected bilateral Achilles tendonitis and calf strain.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, but the effective dates are not specified. The Veteran remains entitled to a separate rating for his painful and unstable amputation scar of the right hand index finger prior to October 23, 2008, and to an initial compensable rating thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are not service-connected as her conditions were either not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is currently on hold due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination. The claims are being remanded to obtain these records and conduct an examination.

The Board has found no evidence of chronic sinusitis during the appeals period and has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.